Parsons Sun
Cardinals add some hardware
CEDAR FALLS, IOWA - The Labette Community College wrestling team - the NJCAA defending national champions - added some hardware to their trophy case at the 2006 Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals over the weekend at the University of Northern Iowa Dome.
"This year's national duals was a very exciting event for Labette Community College," LCC coach Joe Renfro said. "Not only did the Cardinals compete next to the nations best NCAA Division-I, D-II, D-III, and NAIA schools in the finals, but came away with a national dual title of their own."
Labette defeated the Northwest Wyoming Trappers in its final match, 18-16, to claim the title. On the road to victory, they defeated Itasca Community College, 30-9, and Colby, 29-13.
This year's national dual tournament was held for all college wrestling classifications in the same location - the University of Northern Iowa. Labette wrestled their final match alongside Minnesota University, which defeated Oklahoma State University for the Division I title.
The University of Nebraska-Omaha defeated Minnesota State University-Mankato for the Division II crown, while Wartburg College defeated Augsburg College for D-III crown. Dana College defeated Lindenwood College for the NAIA title, and Labette defeated Northwest Wyoming for NJCAA title.
"This proved to be a very intense environment with most of the best wrestlers in the nation competing," Renfro said. "This was an invitational that was reserved by last year's team placing in their classes national tournament."
Labette was the first on the invite list. Although they were invited first, they did not receive the No. 1 seed and had to work their way through the bracket as the No. 2 seed.
The Cardinals overcame the predictions and declared victory over Northwest Wyoming by the narrow margin of 18-16.
2006 Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals
University of Northern Iowa Dome
at Cedar Falls, Iowa
Weekend results
LCC vs. Northwest Wyoming
125 - Tim Elliott (LCC) F 6:47 Kalen Wilson (NW)
133 - Josh Baldridge (LCC) DEC 10-6 Eric Tapia (NW)
141 - Ross Montour (NW) MD 10-1 Cavin Cooper (LCC)
149 - Cody Moulton (NW) DEC 8-5 Cory Allison (LCC)
157 - Luke Elmore (LCC) DEC 5-3 Eric Coxbill (NW)
165 - Chris Riding (NW) DEC 9-3 Alvin Metcalf (LCC)
174 - Julius Rios (NW) DEC 6-2 Tommy McCarty (LCC)
184 - Alex Saunders (LCC) DEC 10-8 Shawn Vincent (NW)
197 - Elijah Martinez (LCC) DEC 4-2 Avery Rogers (NW)
HWT - Spencer Bowles (NW) DEC 9-4 Willie Weber (LCC)
01/18/2006; 04:15:44 PM