Wrestling primed for NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regional

MEQUON, Wis. -- Concordia Wisconsin enters the most important time of the year on Saturday at the NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regional, which is a two-day tournament and the top three wrestlers from each weight division advancing to the NCAA Division III Championship.

The Falcons have prepared themselves all season for the postseason and put together a 6-4 dual record this season and had numerous placers in tournaments throughout the season.

"It's been tough to talk about surviving and advance, because in wrestling that is what you doing all the time," head coach Kevin Koch said. "There are a lot of young guys on this team and we have talked about our youth this season. I tell them to win something. It is the toughest regional in the country and not that I don't believe in you, but it is going to a tough road to nationals. We need to set the big goals of winning, but also have small goals in between and win those. Just give yourself a chance."

The NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Region is touted as the most difficult in the country, with five nationally-ranked teams competing No. 3 Augsburg, No. 13 UW-La Crosse, No. 15 UW-Whitewater, No. 22 UW-Platteville and No. 24 UW-Eau Claire. As well, the following nationally ranked individuals will be competing:
125 pounds: No. 1 Mike Tortorice (UW-Whitewater), No. 9 Sawyer Sarbacker (UW-La Crosse)
133 pounds: No. 2 Victor Gliva (Augsburg), No. 8 Jacob Prunty (Concordia Moorhead)
141 pounds: No. 1 David Flynn (Augsburg), No. 5 Hazen Rice (UW-Whitewater)
149 pounds: No. 6 Aaron Wilson (Augsburg)
157 pounds: No. 1 Ryan Epps (Augsburg), No. 4 Grant Zamin (UW-La Crosse)
165 pounds: No. 1 Lucas Jeske (Augsburg)
174 pounds: No. 2 Kyle Peisker (Chicago), No. 3 Jaritt Shinhoster (UW-Whitewater), No. 7 Solomon Nielsen (Augsburg), No. 10 Evan Lawrence (UW-Eau Claire)
184 pounds: No. 2 Tanner Vassar (Augsburg), No. 5 Ben Sarasin (Chicago), No. 10 Isaac Odell (Wheaton)
197 pounds: No. 1 Lance Benick (Augsburg), No. 4 Kobe Woods (Wartburg)
285 pounds: No. 6 Lucas Rhinehart (UW-Platteville)

The Falcons have been led by sophomore Marco Padilla (Elmwood Park, Ill.) this season with his 25-11 overall record. Freshman Josh Te Stroete (Cedar Grove, Wis.) has compiled a 23-14 overall record, while junior Merrick O'Donnell (Huntington Beach, Calif.) 15-11 record, with nine victories coming by fall.

"I really don't believe in the rankings," Koch stated. "I don't necessarily say go and watch this guy because he is fifth in the country, but will tell one of my guys to watch that guy because he wrestlers your style and has a good record. 'Why is that guy the fifth seed in this tournament?' We have guys with the same attributes and style as guys who are nationally ranked and we might need to watch them to learn something to get better."

The Falcons will make the six-hour trip to Minneapolis on Thursday for a 4 pm one-hour practice. The NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regional begins on Friday at 11 am. 

"We had a letdown at our conference championship meet and didn't wrestle our best," Koch added. "All year these guys have responded when they had a bad performance and I am really excited to see if they respond to some adversity this weekend."