NIACC's Pena aims for national title

Mario Pena seeks to become NIACC's 13 individual national champion Saturday night.
Mario Pena seeks to become NIACC's 13 individual national champion Saturday night.
February 25, 2017

COUNCIL BLUFFS - For the fourth straight season, the NIACC wrestling team has at least one wrestler in a NJCAA national tournament bout.

NIACC heavyweight Mario Pena faces Iowa Central's Thomas Petersen in the championship match Saturday night at the Mid-America Center.

Last season, Shiquan Hall claimed the 133-pound title for the Trojans.

In the 2014 and 2015 seasons, Nosomy Pozo (149) and Yoanse Mejias (157) won back-to-back national titles for the Trojans.

Pena is seeking to become the Trojans' 13th individual national wrestling champion.

Pena advanced to the Saturday night final with a 1-0 victory over Northwest Kansas' Odgerei Batkhishig in the quarterfinals Saturday morning.

Pena, who was fourth last season, has dropped two decisions to Petersen this season - 12-5 in a dual meeet and 9-3 at the district tournament.

Pena enters the Saturday title bout with a record of 18-9 this season and has a career record of 39-19.