NIACC advances 5 to quarterfinals

NIACC's Mario Pena battles Western Wyoming's Wade French in their first-round match at 285 pounds at the national tournament Friday.

February 24, 2017

COUNCIL BLUFFS - The NIACC wrestling team moved five wrestlers to tonight's quarterfinals at the NJCAA national wrestling tournament at the Mid-America Center.

NIACC's Brennen Doebel (125), Austin Anderly (141), Tucker Black (165), Jaylen Lee (184) and Mario Pena (285) all stayed alive on the championship side of the bracket.

The quarterfinals start at 6:15 p.m.

Doebel picked up a pair of falls to advance to the quarterfinals. Pena gained a fall and a decision and Lee picked up a pair of decisions.

It is the second straight season that Pena has advanced to the quarterfinals. Pena, who placed fourth a year ago, is seeking to become coach Steve Kelly's seventh two-time all-American.

Anderly and Black both won decisions in their second-round matches. Both Anderly and Black received first-round byes.

Anderly, who is ranked sixth, upset second-ranked Curtis Burnett of Northeast Oklahoma, 5-3

Jamarius Jackson (133) and Colby Winnett (157) stayed alive in the consolation bracket.

Ryan Faught (174) dropped his first-round match, won his first consolation match by fall and then dropped out of the tournament with his second loss of the day.

NIACC is in ninth place with 31.5 points heading into tonight's quarterfinals.

Northeast Oklahoma leads the team race with 39 points. Iowa Central is in third with 31.5 points.

NIACC results

First round

125 - Brennan Doebel (N) pinned Andrew Niessen (Itasca), 2:40.

133 - Jamarius Jackson (N) major dec. Tyus White (RCTC), 13-5.

157 - John Leal (Clackamas) pinned Colby Winnett (N), 6:05.

174 - Tyree Overton (Lincoln) tech. fall Ryan Faught (N), 17-2.

184 - Jaylen Lee (N) dec. Deven Simpson (Mercyhurst North East), 4-3.

285 - Mario Pena (N) pinned Wade French (Western Wyoming), 6:17.

Second round

125 - Doebel (N) pinned Jay Maxville (Neosho), 2:40.