Padilla places 2nd at CCIW Championship

DECATUR, Ill. -- Marco Padilla has had an impressive season and placed second at the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Wrestling Championship on Thursday. The Falcons had six placers at the tournament.

Padilla (Elmwood Park, Ill.) ended in second place for the second year in a row at 125 pounds. The sophomore received a first-round bye before defeating Zach Blasioli (Millikin) by a 5-3 sudden victory decision before losing an 8-0 major decision bout in the title match.

"The team competed with a lot of heart today," head coach Kevin Koch said. "We did not have the result we were looking for. We're going to continue to practice hard and clean up some things to get prepared for the national qualifier in two weeks."

Freshman Gabe Rodriguez (Las Vegas, Nev.) took fifth at 1333 pounds after going 2-2. He had an 8-2 decision win over Giovany Armira (Wheaton) and defeated Andre Neal (Elmhurst) by a 5-4 decision in the fifth-place bout.

Freshman Quinn Hoopman (Cedar Grove, Wis.) ended in sixth at 149 pounds and his lone victory was a 22-5 technical fall win over Jimmy Cushman (MSOE).

Sophomore Cameron Caldwell (Adams-Friendship, Wis.) recorded a fifth-place finish at 165 pounds after putting together a 2-2 record. He began his day with a medical forfeit win and concluded it with a win by fall in three minutes and 47 seconds over Nick Rapp (MSOE).

Freshman Josh Te Stroete (Cedar Grove, Wis.) stood on the fifth spot on the podium at 174 pounds. He earned a 6-3 decision win over Brock Montford (North Central).

Junior Merrick O'Donnell (Huntington Beach, Calif.) was sixth at 197 pounds. He posted a 13-2 major decision victory over Evan Carter (MSOE).

The Falcons return to the mat on February 28-29 for the NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regional, hosted by Augsburg University.