Ambrocio, Lubner, Reuteler earn bid to NCAA Championship

MINNEAPOLIS – Sean Ambrocio, Marcus Lubner and Jake Reuteler punched their ticket to the NCAA Division III Championship after an impressive day at the Midwest Regionals on Saturday. Only the top three wrestlers in each weight bracket advanced.

It is the first time in program history the Falcons are sending three wrestlers to the NCAA Championship at one time. Ambrocio also became the program's first three-time NCAA National Qualifier.

Ambrocio (junior, San Antonio, Wis.) became a three-time National Qualifier after going 2-1 in the 125-pound weight division. He earned a bye in the opening round before defeating Scott Worlund (UW-Oshkosh) by fall in four minutes and 13 seconds. Ambrocio then pinned Gabe Foltz (Concordia College Moorhead) in one minute and 51 seconds to advance to the title match. Third-ranked Mike Fuenffinger (Augsburg) had plans of his own and defeated CUW's smallest wrestler by major decision, 10-2.

Ambrocio's season record will be 17-4 entering the final tournament of the season in two weeks.

Lubner (senior, Fredonia, Wis.) kept his remarkable 2013-14 campaign going by putting together a 2-1 record in the 133-pound bracket. He earned a bye in the first round before downing Nick Miceli (MSOE) by technical fall, 18-2. Lubner earned an 8-6 decision victory over eighth-ranked Jacoby Bergeron (Concordia College Moorhead) to advance to the title match, but fell by decision, 8-3, to Chad Batschenfeld (Augsburg College).

Lubner is making his first trip to the NCAA Division III Championship. His season record improved to 17-5.

Reuteler (junior, New Berlin, Wis.) also went 2-1 on Saturday at the 197-pound division to extend his season. He had a bye in the first round before defeating Bryant Etherton (UW-Platteville) by decision, 12-6. Reuteler then pinned Caleb Staub (MSOE) in five minutes and 49 seconds to advance to the title match. He lost to Tyler Wetenkamp (UW-Oshkosh) by decision, 6-0, to take second place.

It is will be Reuteler's first appearance at the NCAA Division II Championship. He improved his season record to 22-14.

During the 1996 season, the Falcons sent six wrestlers to the NAIA National Championship, while Chuck Radcliff was a three-time NAIA National Qualifier during his career.

The trio will have two weeks to prepare for the NCAA Division II Championship on March 14-15 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The host school for the two-day event is Cornell College.