Ambrocio, Sanders advance to NCAA National Wrestling Championships

MINNEAPOLIS – Sean Ambrocio and Greg Sanders created memories for a lifetime on Saturday afternoon at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Midwest Regional, as both continued their impressive seasons with a first and second place finish in their respective weight classes.

The sophomore duo will represent Concordia University Wisconsin on March 15-16 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at the NCAA Championships with the chance to become an All-American and National Champion.

CUW finished in sixth place as a team with 63 points, while host Augsburg College took first place with 143.5 points. The Falcons had a wrestler in each weight class, with only the top three advancing to the National Championships.

Ambrocio (San Antonio, Texas) won the 125-pound weight class with four victories, including a win by fall (2:36) over Alec Noa (Lakeland College) to begin the day. The nation's eighth-ranked 125-pounder then defeated Cole Ferguson (UW-Platteville) by major decision, 19-6. The exercise physiology major went on continued with two-consecutive decision wins to make to his second-straight trip to the National Championships.

He defeated John Wells (St. John's University) – who is receiving votes in the d3wrestle.com rankings – by a 12-8 score in the quarterfinals. Ambrocio took home the title trophy with a slim 3-2 victory over Will McCarthy (Concordia University Moorhead). The four wins improves his season record to 33-5.

Sanders (San Antonio, Texas) placed second in the 149-pound weight class after ending the day with a 3-1 record. He began the day with a pair of striking wins to start the day. A pin in one minute and 12 seconds over William Patrick (Pacific University) preceded a technical fall victory (18-1) over Mason McMullen (UW-Oshkosh).

The multimedia and mass communications major defeated a familiar foe in Dallas Schrug (MSOE) by major decision, 11-0, to set up his title bout against Jacob Long (Concordia University Moorhead) – who is receiving votes in the d3wrestle.com rankings – which he lost. Sanders overall record improved to 36-4 after the tournament.

Freshman Allen Fenner (Watertown, Wis.) competed in his first NCAA Regional Tournament and earned a win by fall (1:38) over Justin Schienebeck (UW-Oshkosh) in the 141-pound weight division.

Senior David Tuomi (Wheaton, Ill.) earned a nail-biting 3-1 sudden victory decision over Thomas Dahlke (UW-Oshkosh) to highlight his day at 157 pounds.

Senior Shawn Flom (Random Lake, Wis.) picked up a win by fall (5:54) over Peter Crocco (UW-Platteville) en route to a sixth place finish in the 165-pound weight class. Crocco is receiving votes in the d3wrestle.com rankings.

Sophomore Casey Kenealy (Hartford, Wis.) earned a fifth-place finish after winning three matches. He picked up a technical fall win, 16-0, over Jacob Hoffstatter (UW-Eau Claire) before sticking Randy Wade (UW-Platteville) in six minutes and 35 seconds. Kenealy defeated Sebastian Gardner (Concordia University Moorhead) – who is receiving votes in the d3wrestle.com rankings – with a 4-1 decision. He improved his overall record to 26-18 at 174 pounds.

Sophomore Jake Reuteler (New Berlin, Wis.) also finished in sixth place, which included a 10-4 decision win over Jeremy Kroeger (Lakeland College) at 197 pounds.