Cornell’s men’s wrestling team posted bookend wins during a 2-3 performance at the NWCA/USMC National Duals, held Friday and Saturday in the UNI-Dome.
Coach Brent Hamm’s Rams closed a busy two days on the mat with a 30-11 triumph over Millikin in the third-place dual of the 13-16 bracket. With the win, Cornell finished 15th out of 23 of the nation’s top NCAA Division III teams.
Making its first appearance at the national duals since 2016, Cornell opened Friday’s competition with a 26-18 victory over Olivet that sent the Rams into the 16-team championship bracket.
The Rams fell 49-0 to top-ranked and defending national champion Augsburg in the Round of 16, followed by a 47-3 loss to 13th-ranked Coe to conclude Friday’s action.
On Saturday, the Rams lost 33-9 to 19th-ranked Luther before pulling away from Millikin in the finale.
Sophomore heavyweight Jackson Brinker enjoyed a perfect 4-0 tournament with a pair of major decisions to lead the Rams (5-9). Brinker improved his season record to 19-7.
Cael McLaren at 184 pounds and Treyten Steffen at 197 both finished 3-2.
Cornell won the final six matches to take down Millikin, which held an early 11-7 lead. The Rams took control with decisions from Landon Card (7-1 at 157), Brian Petry (10-9 at 174) and McLaren (8-2 at 184). Steffen pinned his opponent at 197 (2:10) and Brinker recorded a 9-1 major decision to seal the dual.
Jase Van Pelt (23-7 technical fall at 133) and Scotty Scheidecker (forfeit at 165) were also winners against Millikin.
The Rams dropped the first seven bouts against Luther, but finished strong with consecutive wins from McLaren (6-1), Steffen (10-4) and Brinker (7-5).
Cornell overcame an 18-7 deficit to defeat Olivet in the opening dual. Back-to-back pins by McLaren (2:18) and Steffen (2:44), followed by a major decision from Brinker (13-3) completed the comeback.
Jayden Rael (6-2 at 125), Eli Sneed (13-4 at 133) and Petry (6-1 at 174) also scored wins against Olivet.
Brinker accounted for Cornell’s lone match win against Coe, a 7-3 decision over Wyatt Smith.