Cedar Falls, Iowa -- The #6 wrestling team (9-2) placed fourth at the Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals over the weekend, losing to #2 Wartburg 18-15 in Sunday's semifinal round and dropping a 27-11 decision to top-ranked Augsburg in the third/fourth-place bout. Senior Blaine Woszczak (Wall/Manasquan, N.J.), was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler after going 4-0 on the weekend, beating the nation's third, seventh and fifth-ranked wrestlers.

The Bombers held leads of 12-4 and 15-7 over Wartburg before the Knights won the final three bouts, including major decision's by the nation's top-ranked wrestlers at 197 pounds and heavyweight. Ithaca jumped out to an early advantage over the top-ranked Auggies, winning three of the first four matches to open up an 11-3 lead.

Woszczak, ranked fifth nationally at 149 pounds, wrapped up a 4-0 weekend by defeating the nation's seventh and second-ranked competitors. During Saturday's quarterfinal round, he topped the third-ranked wrestler, Saint John's' two-time NCAA champion. Woszczak, who won 9-7 and 6-5 Sunday, is now 19-2 on the season with a 9-0 dual-match mark. His career record of 121-34 puts him third on the program's all-time win list. He's one victory away from second place and seven short of Ithaca's career record.

Two other Bombers went 4-0 on the weekend: juniors Seth Ecker (Pottstown/Pottstown, Pa.) and Jeremy Stierly (Owen J. Roberts/Pottsville, Pa.).

Ecker, ranked fifth at 133 pounds, won by decision against Wartburg and recorded a technical fall against Augsburg. He's now 16-3 this winter (9-2 in dual matches) and 62-15 as a Bomber. The technical fall was his third of the season and the 18th of his career.

Stierly, who had been ranked second at 157 pounds before missing nearly two months, made a spectacular return to the mat with four wins at the tournament. In Sunday's action, he blanked his Wartburg opponent 4-0 and upset the nation's eighth-ranked wrestler 8-3 during the Augsburg match. Stierly is now 7-0 this season and 62-15 in his Ithaca career.

Two other nationally-ranked Bombers picked up wins against Wartburg. Sophomore Derek Brenon (Immaculate Heart/Watertown), ranked seventh at 157 pounds, was a 12-10 victor and senior David Priest (Wyomissing Area/Douglassville, Pa.), ranked sixth at 174 pounds, shut out his opponent 2-0.

Brenon is 18-1 this season and 37-7 in his career. Priest has compiled a 16-3 mark this year and a career record of 93-29. He's seven wins away from becoming the 17th Bomber to reach 100 career victories.

The Bombers are idle until competing at the New York State Collegiate Championships Jan. 22-23.


#2 Wartburg 18, #6 ITHACA 15
125: #3 Mark Krist (WC) major dec. Max Cohen, 14-3
133: #5 Seth Ecker (IC) dec. Thomas Mirocha, 5-2
141: Jeremy Stierly (IC) dec. Matt Kelly, 4-0
149: #5 Blaine Woszczak (IC) dec. #7 Jacob Groth, 9-6
157: #7 Derek Brenon (IC) dec. Carrington Banks, 12-10
165: #10 Landon Williams (WC) dec. Nick Sanko, 5-2
174: #6 David Priest (IC) dec. Bradley Banks, 2-0
184: #5 Dylan Azinger (WC) dec. Josue Mendez, 11-5
197: #1 Byron Tate (WC) major dec. Keith Dickey, 10-2
285: #1 Jon Helgerson (WC) major dec. #4 Matt Mahon, 12-4

#1 Augsburg 27, #6 ITHACA 11
125: #5 Joshua Roberts (AC) dec. Dominick Giacalone, 3-0
133: #5 Setch Ecker (IC) TF Cory Madsen, 17-1; 5:00
141: Jeremy Stierly (IC) dec. #8 Cody Hansen, 8-3
149: #5 Blaine Woszczak (IC) dec. #2 Tony Valek, 6-5
157: Zach Enrico (AC) WBF Evan Connors, 6:57
165: #2 Orlando Ponce (AC) dec. Nick Sanko, 11-5
174: #2 Zach Molitor (AC) dec. #6 David Priest, 2-0
184: #7 Brad Baus (AC) WBF Josue Mendez, 4:10
197: #3 Jared Massey (AC) dec. Shane Bartrum, 6-1
285: Nikolas Bogojevic (AC) dec. #4 Matt Mahon, 7-6