Perfect start boosts Maryville to early lead at NCAA Div II Championships
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by Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
Two-time All-American Keenan Hagerty of Maryville takes control in his first-round win at 149 pounds. Mark Lundy photo.
ST. LOUIS – The Maryville Saints won just one match in the first session of the 2014 national tournament.
And still managed to come back and place third in the final team standings.
The Saints came out very strong in the first session this year, going a perfect 7-for-7 in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Championships on Friday before 2,500 fans at the Chaifetz Arena.
Host school and No. 2 Maryville, led by seven-time national championship coach Mike Denney, grabbed the early lead with 11 points. The Saints won one match by fall, two by major decision and two in overtime during their 7-0 session.
The quarterfinals are set for 6 p.m. Central.
“Dakota Bauer lit the fire for us in the first match at 133, and the rest of the team followed suit,” Maryville coach Mike Denney said. “We won some big matches and I’m really proud of our guys. The fire’s lit now and we’ve set ourselves up pretty well. This is obviously a big round coming up. You win in the quarterfinals and you’re in the top six. Our guys will be ready.”
Top-ranked and defending champion Notre Dame had a rough first session is in eighth place with five points. The Falcons went 4-4 in the first session
Third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney, Ouachita Bapitst, Mercyhurt and McKendree are tied for second with eight points apiece. Mercyhurst and UNK each went 6-1, McKendree went 4-1 and Ouachita Baptist 3-2.
A key quarterfinal bout is set at 149 with two-time All-American Keenan Hagerty of Maryville matched up against past Junior Nationals champion Destin McCauley of Nebraska-Kearney.
There was one big early upset that could impact the team race.
Limestone’s Caleb Rivera knocked off returning champion Garrett Lineberger of Notre Dame at 184 pounds. Rivera locked up a near-side cradle and scored a fall in 4 minutes, 51 seconds. Lineberger can still come back and score big points in the wrestlebacks.
Two-time NCAA champion and top-ranked Joey Davis of Notre Dame rolled into the 174 quarters. The junior is 29-0 this season and 105-0 in his career. Returning champion Jonatan Rivera of Notre Dame also advanced at 157.
Returning champions also advancing were North Carolina-Pembroke’s Daniel Ownbey at 141, Central Missouri’s Frank Cagnina at 149, Nebraska-Kearney’s Romero Cotton at 197 and Kutztown heavyweight Ziad Haddad.
2013 champion Daniel DeShazer of Nebraska-Kearney also advanced at 133. The junior was second in this tournament last year.
Second-ranked Elliott Copeland of Western State, a three-time All-American, failed to make weight at 174.
Top 10 teams
Maryville 11, Nebraska-Kearney 8, McKendree 8, Mercyhurst 8, Ouachita Baptist 8, North Carolina-Pembroke 6, St. Cloud 5.5, Notre Dame 5, Shorter 4, Tiffin 4, Western State 4.
ST. LOUIS – The Maryville Saints won just one match in the first session of the 2014 national tournament.
And still managed to come back and place third in the final team standings.
The Saints came out very strong in the first session this year, going a perfect 7-for-7 in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Championships on Friday before 2,500 fans at the Chaifetz Arena.
Host school and No. 2 Maryville, led by seven-time national championship coach Mike Denney, grabbed the early lead with 11 points. The Saints won one match by fall, two by major decision and two in overtime during their 7-0 session.
The quarterfinals are set for 6 p.m. Central.
“Dakota Bauer lit the fire for us in the first match at 133, and the rest of the team followed suit,” Maryville coach Mike Denney said. “We won some big matches and I’m really proud of our guys. The fire’s lit now and we’ve set ourselves up pretty well. This is obviously a big round coming up. You win in the quarterfinals and you’re in the top six. Our guys will be ready.”
Top-ranked and defending champion Notre Dame had a rough first session is in eighth place with five points. The Falcons went 4-4 in the first session
Third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney, Ouachita Bapitst, Mercyhurt and McKendree are tied for second with eight points apiece. Mercyhurst and UNK each went 6-1, McKendree went 4-1 and Ouachita Baptist 3-2.
A key quarterfinal bout is set at 149 with two-time All-American Keenan Hagerty of Maryville matched up against past Junior Nationals champion Destin McCauley of Nebraska-Kearney.
There was one big early upset that could impact the team race.
Limestone’s Caleb Rivera knocked off returning champion Garrett Lineberger of Notre Dame at 184 pounds. Rivera locked up a near-side cradle and scored a fall in 4 minutes, 51 seconds. Lineberger can still come back and score big points in the wrestlebacks.
Two-time NCAA champion and top-ranked Joey Davis of Notre Dame rolled into the 174 quarters. The junior is 29-0 this season and 105-0 in his career. Returning champion Jonatan Rivera of Notre Dame also advanced at 157.
Returning champions also advancing were North Carolina-Pembroke’s Daniel Ownbey at 141, Central Missouri’s Frank Cagnina at 149, Nebraska-Kearney’s Romero Cotton at 197 and Kutztown heavyweight Ziad Haddad.
2013 champion Daniel DeShazer of Nebraska-Kearney also advanced at 133. The junior was second in this tournament last year.
Second-ranked Elliott Copeland of Western State, a three-time All-American, failed to make weight at 174.
Top 10 teams
Maryville 11, Nebraska-Kearney 8, McKendree 8, Mercyhurst 8, Ouachita Baptist 8, North Carolina-Pembroke 6, St. Cloud 5.5, Notre Dame 5, Shorter 4, Tiffin 4, Western State 4.
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