Mergener qualifies for NCAA Nationals

MINNEAPOLIS – Concordia University Wisconsin has a wrestler who NCAA Division III National Qualifier, yet again, as Mason Mergener finished third in the 174-pound bracket at the Midwest Regionals on Saturday inside Si Melby Hall.

Mergener (sophomore, Crivitz, Wis.) will be making his first trip to Nationals, after finishing the day with a 3-1 record. He received a bye in the first round before defeating Trenton Larson (UW-Platteville) by decision, 9-5. Mergener lost a major decision, 16-4, bout to Sebastian Gardner (Concordia Moorhead) which sent him to the consolation portion of the bracket.

He then defeated Matthew Laugen (UW-Eau Claire) by decision, 6-5, and won the third-place match by decision, 3-2, over Tyler Howe (Pacific). Mergener improves his season record to 21-10.

The historic careers of Sean Ambrocio (San Antonio, Texas), Jake Reuteler (New Berlin, Wis.) and Casey Kenealy (Hartford, Wis.) came to an end. Their quest to advance to the National Tournament fell short.

Ambrocio, seeking to become the only wrestler in program history to advance to Nationals for the fourth time, won his opening match by major decision, 12-3, in the 133-pound division before being upset in back-to-back bouts. He ends his career with 102 victories, which is fourth-best all-time in program history.

Reuteler, looking for a return trip to Nationals, won a pair of bouts in the championship bracket at 197 pounds by pinning Nicholas Hopkins (St. Olaf) in 6:00 and then winning by decision, 2-1, over Alan Dahlke (UW-Oshkosh). He was then pinned in back-to-back bouts ending his career with 75 victories, which is tied for ninth all-time in program history.

Kenealy, who was wrestling for his first trip to Nationals, won his opening bout by decision, 7-2, over Randy Wade (UW-Platteville) before losing by decision, 9-4. He then lost again by fall, 5:13, to end his career with 89 victories, which is fifth all-time in program history.

Freshman Mitchell Slatton (Granger, Ind.) was one victory shy of becoming a National Qualifier after putting together a 4-2 record at 184 pounds. He pinned his opening round opponent, Dane Anderson (St. Olaf), in 2:45 before losing by decision, 8-4. Slatton then pinned Joseph Norcia (Pacific) in 3:26 prior to winning by decision, 4-3, against Eddie Terres (Lakeland). He then won against by decision, 10-6, over Korey Kleinhans (UW-Oshkosh) before losing by decision, 5-4, in the match that would have kept his season going.

Also winning bouts for the Falcons were sophomore Joshua Curcio (Granger, Ind.) who won by decision, 6-2, over Craig Mason (UW-Oshkosh) at 141 pounds. Junior Pierce Holtfreter (Las Vegas, Nev.) captured two wins at 157 pounds after pinning Ricky Ridela (Pacific) in 2:43 and earning a major decision win, 11-3, over Joe Pelkey (UW-Oshkosh). Sophomore John Hinson (Glendale, Ariz.) won a decision bout, 7-5, over Andrew Wagner (Lakeland) at 285 pounds.