Kevin Krows/Millikin University

Wrestling 1/7/2022 1:05:00 PM Bryan Marshall, Millikin Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information

Millikin Finishes Seventh at NWCA National Duals

The Millikin wrestling team finished in seventh place in the NCAA Division III competition at NWCA Nationals Duals held January 6-7 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The event features top teams from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and NJCAA men's and women's programs.

After going 2-1 on Thursday, Millikin entered the day assured of a top eight team finish. The Big Blue opened day two of competition facing sixth ranked Johnson & Wales University losing the match 25-18. The Big Blue posted four victories on the mat and picked up a forfeit at 285. Zac Blasioli won at 133 7-5 (SV-1). Peter McCusker won at 157 pounds 7-2 over Darius Joyce. Bradan Birt rallied to stay undefeated at 165 pounds. Trailing 10-2, Birt fought back to pull out the victory with a take down in the final second with advantage time giving him the 11-10 victory. Freshman Niles Ager won at 197 pounds 10-6 over Dylan Harr.

Millikin rallied to win the seventh place match against top ranked Coe College 28-26.
The Big Blue picked up six points with a Coe forfeit at 125 and then quickly added six more when Blasioli picked up a win by fall 35 seconds into the match. Blasioli, who entered the tournament ranked 12th at 133 pounds, won all five of his matches in the event and improved to 19-2 on the season. McCusker posted an upset win at 157 pounds. Trailing in the match, McCusker (17-5) pinned sixth ranked AJ Patterson at the 5:40 mark. Birt, ranked second at 165 pounds in the most recent NWCA Individual rankings, won his match 18-1 by technical fall. Birt remained undefeated on the season at 22-0.

With the match tied at 23-23, Ager scored a 16-1 technical fall win at 197 to give the Big Blue a 28-23 advantage. Ager is now 18-5 on the year. The final match of the event was a battle of ranked wrestlers at 285 with the Big Blue Reyes, who was ranked 13th in Division III facing second ranked Kaleb Reeves at 285 pounds. Reyes put up a strong fight losing 4-2. Reyes goes to 20-2 on the season.

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Players Mentioned

Bradan Birt: Senior; 165/174

Peter McCusker: Junior; 157

Zac Blasioli: Sophomore; 133

Niles Ager: Freshman; 197

Players Mentioned

Bradan Birt
: Senior; 165/174

Peter McCusker
: Junior; 157

Zac Blasioli
: Sophomore; 133

Niles Ager
: Freshman; 197