ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College wrestling team, ranked eighth in the latest NWCA poll, dropped to 7-3 in dual meet competition after falling to 12th-ranked North Central College 25-14.

North Central (12-5-1) jumped out to a quick 13-0 lead by winning the first three matches. Joe Norton started the dual with a 12-3 major victory over Elmhurst's Tom Laskowske at 125 pounds. Nathan Fitzenreider, ranked fifth in the latest NWCA poll, gave the Cardinals a 7-0 lead when he defeated Elmhurst's Ben Salabura 9-4 at 133 pounds. Johnny Starzyk, currently ranked third at 141 pounds in the latest NWCA poll, put the Cardinals up 13-0 when he pinned Elmhurst's Ryan Earley in in 1:18. 

Charlie Curran put Elmhurst on the scoreboard at 149 pounds by scoring a 12-2 major decision over the Cardinals' Trent Reinoehl. North Central's Tim Gingerich downed Elmhurst's Dan Hamilton 5-2 at 157 pounds to give North Central a 16-4 advantage. The Bluejays scored three points at 165 points after Jack Lewis defeated North Central's Joby Bodi 2-0. 

The Cardinals took a 19-7 lead after the 174 pound match when Cowan Brown edged Elmhurst's Frank Savegnago 8-7. North Central put the dual out of reach at 184 pounds when Gabe Youel pinned Elmhurst's Mike McNeil in 1:10. 

Elmhurst closed the dual with a pair of victories. Joe Rau downed North Central's Vinnie Sapienza 6-4 at 197 pounds. Mark Corsello finished the dual with an 8-0 major decision over North Central's Rodney Knowlton at 285 pounds. Corsello, ranked first in the latest NWCA poll, remained perfect on the season with the win, upping his record to 16-0. 

Elmhurst will wrestle at the Border Brawl duals at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Saturday, January 23.


North Central 25, Elmhurst 14
125 - Joe Norton (NCC) def. Tom Laskowske (EC) 12-3 Major
133 - Nathan Fitzenreider (NCC) def. Ben Salabura (EC) 9-4
141 - Johnny Starzyk (NCC) pinned Ryan Earley (EC) in 1:18
149 - Charlie Curran (EC) def. Trent Reinoehl (NCC) 12-2 Major
157 - Tim Gingerich (NCC) def. Dan Hamilton (EC) 5-2
165 - Jack Lewis (EC) def. Joby Bodi (NCC) 2-0 
174 - Cowan Brown (NCC) def. Frank Savegnago (EC) 8-7
184 - Gabe Youel (NCC) pinned Mike McNeil (EC) in 1:10
197 - Joe Rau (EC) def. Vinnie Sapienza (NCC) 6-4
285 - Mark Corsello (EC) def. Rodney Knowlton (NCC) 8-0 Major