UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE ATHLETICS

Cedar Falls, Iowa - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wrestling team earned a 32-6 victory over the University of Dubuque (Iowa) Saturday morning in the first round of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA)/Cliff Keen National Duals in the University of Northern Iowa UNI-Dome. The Eagles advance to the quarterfinals Saturday at 1 p.m. to face Delaware Valley College (Pa.). 

UW-L, ranked number one in NCAA Division III, is the top seed in this year's national duals. Dubuque (Iowa) is currently ranked 26th in the country and is the tournament's 16th seed this weekend.

The Eagles won eight of 10 matches against the Spartans Saturday morning. UW-L got off to a 6-0 lead at 125-pounds as Albie McKinney won by fall (1:21) over Ryan Lessner.

UWL won the next four matches to lead 22-0. Adam Sheley won by decision (7-3) over Mark Schultz at 133-pounds; Alex Dahl earned a win by fall (6:01) over Ben Watts at 141; Matt Mauseth picked up a win by major decision (14-2) over Anderson Sainci at 149 and Ryan Farwell won by decision (9-3) over Ryan Warcynski at 157-pounds. Mauseth is ranked fourth in NCAA Division III.

Dubuque took the matches at 165 and 174-pounds as Josh Terrell won by decision (12-10) over UW-L's Cory Ferguson at 165 and Evan Brown won by decision (3-2) over the Eagles' Mike Schmitz at 174. The two victories made it 22-6. Both matches featured nationally-ranked wrestlers. Terrell is fourth and Ferguson ninth at 165-pounds while Brown is ranked first and Schmitz second at 174.

The Eagles won the last three matches to earn the 32-6 victory. Mitch Artist won by decision (7-0) over Jake Durbin at 184-pounds; John Poppie won by major decision (17-5) over Sam Johnson and 197 and Dan Laurent won by decision (5-2) over Christopher Schiewe at 285-pounds. Laurent is currently ranked number one in the country.

Competition concludes Sunday, Jan. 10.