Roughnecks Face Tough Test at NWCA Duals

Fort Wayne, IN - The University of Findlay wrestling team, ranked eighth in the country, took part in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals on Thursday, Jan. 5. The Roughnecks were one of sixteen teams competing in the loaded Division II bracket. Fifteen of the sixteen teams in the bracket are either ranked or receiving votes in the NWCA national poll.

Findlay faced Wheeling Jesuit in the first round of the tournament and lost by a score of 26-12. The Roughnecks received wins from Nick Goebel (7-4), Alonzo Turner (2-1), Bradley Metz (3-0), and Luke Fleming (SV-1, 3-1).

In the first round of the consolation bracket, the Roughnecks earned a win over #17 Newberry. Josh Wimer earned a victory by fall (6:12) at 141 pounds and Nick Goebel won 5-2. Joey White, Alonzo Turner, Bradley Metz, Chancellor Sonnenberg, and Luke Fleming all won to give the Roughnecks a 28-12 victory.

The second consolation round pitted Findlay against #4 Nebraska-Kearney. The Roughnecks dropped that match 23-15 to end their tournament.

On the day, senior Nick Goebel, the #1 wrestling in the nation at 141 pounds, went a perfect 3-0 in his first event of the season. Fellow senior Joey White, ranked tenth at 157 pounds, also went 3-0 on the day in his first event of his senior season.

Sophomore Alonzo Turner, ranked tenth at 165 pounds, continued his spectacular season with a 3-0 run while senior Bradley Metz, ranked seventh at 174 pouds, did the same. Metz took down two of the nation's top wrestlers in his run as he defeated Huston Evans of Newberry, ranked eighth in the nation, and Calvin Ochs of Nebraska-Kearney, ranked fourth in the nation.

The Roughnecks are back on the mats on Jan. 14 when they participate in the Ranger Duals.