2011-12 Stories of the Year (No. 3): Ambrocio one win from being All-American

MEQUON, Wis. – The list could have gone on and on, and it is obviously longer than we thought it would be when we first started making it. The 2011-12 athletic year at Concordia University Wisconsin had many successful and inspiring stories, but we decided to limit it to five.

The list was compiled by the CUW Sports Information Department, and like all lists it is subject to debate. The list of stories will be revealed in stages. Stories 4-1 will be revealed individually over the next few days, with the top story of 2011-12 being released next Tuesday.

Fans will then have an opportunity to vote on their top stories of 2011-12 by e-mailing their list to steven.schauer@cuw.edu by Friday, June 15.

No. 3
Ambrocio one win from being All-American

Freshman Sean Ambrocio quietly went about his business this past season on the mat, until the national stage arrived and the lights went on. The 125-pounder from San Antonio, Texas, was the lone standout for the Falcons during the NCAA Great Lakes Regionals on Feb. 25, winning a fourth-place bout which earned him a trip to the NCAA Nationals.

With the pressure on and all eyes watching him on March 22 in Lacrosse, Wis., the exercise physiology major calmly won three bouts at the highest level. Ambrocio won his first bout before dropping his next, which moved him into the wrestle-back portion of the bracket. During that intense-filled afternoon he defeated Robert Binglingmaier (Olivet College), Tyler Marlow (Brockport State University of New York), and Daniel Mendoza (Luther College).

In the end, all that stood in his way from All-American status was Paul Bewak from Johns Hopkins University. The two battled, but Ambrocio was unable to pull out the victory, dropping the bout by major decision, 9-0, and ending his rookie campaign.

Ambrocio had one of the most impressive seasons ever for a Falcon wrestler, posting a 35-18 record. He recorded 76 takedowns, 45 escapes, eight victories by pin and two wins by technical fall.

2011-12 Stories of the Year
HM: Pawlak ends career at NCAA Championships
No. 5: CUW men best in the NAC
No. 4: Sanders backflip appears on ESPN