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Mario Pena tries to escape from Iowa Central's Thomas Petersen in the 285-pound title bout Saturday night.

February 25, 2017

NIACC's Pena falls in finals

COUNCIL BLUFFS - Mario Pena will leave NIACC as a two-time all-American.

Pena, who was fourth at 285 pounds as a freshman, lost by fall to Iowa Central's Thomas Petersen in two minutes, 33 seconds in the 285-pound NJCAA national title match Saturday night inside Mid-America Arena

The win by Petersen lifted the Tritons to the team title with 150 points. Clackamas placed second with 146.5 points.

NIACC placed seventh with 67 points and crowned five all-Americans. It's the fourth straight season that the Trojans have placed in the top 10 at the national tournament.

NIACC's 2017 all-Americans

Mario Pena (2nd)

Austin Anderly (5th)

Brennen Doebel (6th)

Tucker Black (7th)

Jamarius Jackson (8th)

NIACC's Austin Anderly squares off against Iowa Central's DeAndre Reed in their 141-pound fifth-place match.

NIACC's Austin Anderly.

NIACC's Austin Anderly and Iowa Central's DeAndre Reed wait for a challenge call that decided the fifth-place match at 141 pounds. Anderly won, 3-2.

NIACC's Austin Anderly is congratulated by assistant coach Tyler Mumblo after Anderly won his fifth-place match at the NJCAA national wrestling tournament.

NIACC's Austin Anderly controls Iowa Central's DeAndre Reed in the fifth-place match at 141 pounds.

NIACC's Austin Anderly on the medal stand. Anderly was fifth at 141 pounds.

NIACC's Tucker Black on the medal stand. Black placed seventh at 165 pounds.

NIACC's Brennen Doebel wrestles Harper's Ian Mullen in their 125-pound fifth-place match.

NIACC's Brennen Doebel wrestles Harper's Ian Mullen in their 125-pound fifth-place match. Mullen won by fall.

NIACC's Brennen Doebel on the medal stand. Doebel placed sixth at 125 pounds.

NIACC's Jamarius Jackson on the medal stand Saturday night. Jackson placed 8th at 133 pounds.

NIACC's Mario Pena faces Northwest Kansas' Odgerei Batkhishig in the 285-pound semifinal match.

NIACC's Mario Pena wrestles Northwest Kansas' Odgerei Batkhishig in the 285-pound semifinal match. Pena won, 1-0.

NIACC's Mario Pena wrestles Northwest Kansas' Odgerei Batkhishig in the 285-pound semifinal match. Pena won, 1-0.

NIACC's Mario Pena tries for a takedown against Northwest Kansas' Odgerei Batkhishig in the 285-pound semifinal match.

NIACC's Mario Pena smiles after advancing to the 285-pound title match.

Mario Pena after his 1-0 win in the 285-pound semifinals.

Mario Pena is all smiles after his 1-0 win in the 285-pound semifinals.

NIACC's Mario Pena battles Northwest Kansas' Odgerei Batkhishig in the 285-pound semifinal match.

NIACC's Mario Pena on the medal stand. Pena was second at 285 pounds.

NIACC's Mario Pena tries to escape from Iowa Central's Thomas Petersen in the 285-pound championship match.

NIACC's Mario Pena tries to escape during the 285-pound title match.

NIACC's Tucker Black ties up with Labette's Skyler Bloomer after their 165-pound seventh-place match.

NIACC's Steve Kelly.

NIACC's Tucker Black shakes hands with Labette's Skyler Bloomer after their 165-pound seventh-place match. Black won, 11-2.

NIACC's Tucker Black is congratulated by Don Berry and Tucker Weber after winning his seventh-place match at 165 pounds.

NIACC's Tucker Black faces Labette's Skyler Bloomer after their 165-pound seventh-place match. Black won, 11-2.