27th CUW restling Open to be the strongest field in history

MEQUON, Wis. -- The 27th Annual CUW Open is traditionally one of the biggest and best early-season tournaments in NCAA Division III, and this year's event will be no exception.

Five teams in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III poll will be competing, including the top three. No. 1 Wabash, No. 2 Loras and No. 3 Wartburg will lead the field of 20 teams this weekend. As well, No. 6 UW-Whitewater and No. 15 Chicago round out what will be one of the most competitive Opens to date.

The Falcons (0-0) will open the dual meet season with a non-conference meet Friday at 6:00 pm vs. Triton College. CUW had three wrestlers place in the season-opening Millikin Open on November 9, with Marco Padilla (4th At 125), Josh Te Stroete (5th At 165) and Merrick O'Donnell (5th At 184) leading the team to start the season.

In the NWCA individual rankings, 26 wrestlers currently in the top-10 in their weight classes will be wrestling on Saturday. Wartburg leads with six wrestlers ranked in the top-10, followed by Wabash (5) and Loras (5).

Wrestlers currently ranked No. 1 in the NWCA Individual rankings competing in the Open are UW-Whitewater's Mike Tortorice (125), Wabash's Darden Schurg (174) and UW-Whitewater's Riley Kauzlaric (197). The 174 lb. weight class may prove to be the toughest weight class of the day, with four wrestlers ranked in the top-10 in the nation.

The first round begins at 9 am in the R. John Buuck Field House, with the final round slated for approximately 5:30 pm.

Fans can watch the championship rounds by clicking here or follow live results by clicking here.