LA CROSSE, Wis. – Elmhurst wrestlers Dalton Bullard and Joe Rau closed out the 2011-12 season by placing third in the nation in their respective weight classes. Bullard capped an impressive run at nationals with a third-place finish at 133 pounds while Rau earned the second straight All-America honor of his career with a third-place finish at 184 pounds.
As a team, the Bluejays scored 39.5 points to place seventh in the nation. The 39.5 points scored by the Bluejays is an all-time high at the NCAA Championships while the seventh-place finish matches Elmhurst's best-ever finish during the 2009 season.
After posting a 3-1 record on the tournament's first day, Bullard opened day two by winning two consecutive matches to reach the third-place match at 133 pounds. In his opening match, Bullard pinned sixth-seeded Joseph Grippi of Springfield. Bullard controlled the match from the start, picking up Grippi and slamming him to the mat less than 30 seconds into the match. After an escape from Grippi, Bullard added a second takedown and three near fall points to open up a 7-1 advantage after the first period. Starting on top in the second period, Bullard was able to turn Grippi's shoulders to the mat and finish the match with a pin at 4:19.
In the consolation semifinals, Bullard dispatched third-seeded Adam Sheley of Wisconsin-La Crosse 5-2 to reach the third-place match. Bullard struck for a takedown midway through the opening period before giving up an escape. Starting from the top position in the second period, Bullard built up a riding time advantage before Sheley broke free for an escape point. Bullard hit another takedown in the second period and built up over two minutes of riding time to earn the 5-2 victory.
In the third place-match, Bullard dominated Wisconsin-Steven Point's Joe Mileski, earning the victory with a pin in just 3:45. Bullard countered a takedown attempt from Mileski with a takedown of his own and immediately had Mileski on his back. Two near falls gave Bullard a 7-0 lead after the first period. Starting from the top position in the second period, Bullard quickly turned Mileski's shoulders to the mat and ended the match with pin. Bullard became the second Bluejay to earn All-America honors in his first season with the team.
After dropping his opening round match of the Championships, Bullard caught fire in the consolation bracket, ripping of six straight victories in impressive fashion. Included in his six wins were three pins, a technical fall and a major decision. Three of his victories came over seeded wrestlers.
"This tournament, I got to see the wrestler that I knew we had recruited," said Elmhurst head coach Steve Marianetti. "He had to battle some injuries earlier this season and that hampered him a bit. After losing his opening match, he just went out wrestled an amazing tournament. To go from unseeded to third in the nation is a tremendous accomplishment."
After finishing day one with a 2-1 record, Rau rattled off three straight victories to place third. In the consolation quarterfinals, Rau earned a 7-2 victory over returning All-American Greg Roads of Wabash. Rau scored a pair of takedowns in the first period and tacked on a third takedown in the final period while also accumulating over three minutes of riding time.
Rau avenged a 2011 NCAA Championship loss to York's Alex Martocello in the consolation semifinals. Rau scored takedowns in the first and third period while also earning over three minutes of riding time en route to a 6-1 win.
Rau took home third place in the nation by upending Wartburg's Dylan Azinger with a first-period pin. After giving up a quick takedown, Rau powered free for an escape to make the score 2-1. With less than a minute to go in the period, Rau wrapped up Azinger for a takedown and then rolled the Wartburg grapplers' shoulders to the mat to score a pin at 2:41.
"Joe closed out the tournament in an impressive way," said Marianetti. "He came here with a goal of winning a national championship and he had to face one of the toughest challenges of his life – coming back from a loss. After his loss yesterday, we talked about closing out the tournament the right way and shooting for third place. I was very impressed that he rose to the challenge."
Elmhurst entered the NCAA Championships with five national qualifiers. Bullard and Rau earned All-America honors while Brian Brooks, Jake Denhof and Ryan Earley all fell one win shy of All-American recognition.
"This tournament is always filled with ups and downs," said Marianetti. "Every match is a battle and we lost some very close and heartbreaking matches yesterday, but I'm extremely proud of the way we competed."
