NWCA Cliff Keen National Duals Bracket

The New York University wrestling team competed at the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Cliff Keen National Duals on Saturday, January 11, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, IA. The NYU grapplers lost both of their dual matches in the championship bracket, as well as a third dual against Centenary College.

In their first dual, NYU faced off against top-ranked Wartburg College and fell 38-7. The squad then moved on to face #12 Luther College and lost by a margin of 37-6. Finally, the team battled Centenary, dropping that match 30-10

HIGHLIGHTS

- Junior Brandon Jones, currently ranked #2 at 141 pounds by both the NWCA and d3wrestle.com, registered a victory in his match vs. Wartburg's Conner Campo by a 15-7 major decision.

- Jones picked up another victory vs. Luther's Dakota Gray in a 9-4 decision, and posted another 18-5 major decision over Centenary's Collin Farley to go 3-0 on the day.

- Freshman 165-pounder John Messinger knocked off Wartburg's Cole Welter, who is currently ranked #3 in the weight class by both the NWCA and d3wrestle.com, in a 5-1 decision.

- Messinger finished up the day at 2-1 day with a win in a 6-2 decision over Luther's Dusty Jentz and a loss to Centenary's Chris Burdge.

- Dan Brereton and Anthony Chu recorded one victory apiece vs. Centenary at 197 pounds and 285 pounds, respectively.

"This event was a really good learning experience for our guys," said assistant coach Brian Benson. "It was particularly important for our younger wrestlers to go up against some of the best competition in the country."

The NYU wrestling team will be back in action on Saturday, January 18, when they travel to Riverdale, NY, for the Mt. St. Vincent College Invitational. The event is set to begin at 9:30 AM.