NWCA National Duals Bracket (NCAA DII)

(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 8)- The No. 6 McKendree University wrestling team will compete Friday and Saturday in Fort Wayne, Ind., at the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals for the first time since the 2010-11 season.

The NWCA National Duals is an invitational team tournament that pits the top 16 teams from NCAA Divisions II, III, NAIA, NJCAA, and WCWA against eachother in a dual format. The Bearcats previously competed in the NAIA bracket six times beginning in the 2005-06 season through the 2010-11 season, finishing in fourth four times.

McKendree will face No. 14 Newberry College at 9 a.m., in the opening round, marking the first time the two teams have met in a dual match. The winner of that dual will advance to the championship quarterfinals at 1 p.m., against the winner of No. 5 Mercyhurst University (Pa.) and No. 17 Upper Iowa University. The Bearcats have also never faced either team in dual competition.

Joining McKendree on the top-side of the bracket are familiar foes in No. 1 Notre Dame College (Ohio), University of Central Missouri, Augustana College (S.D.), and No. 11 University of Central Oklahoma. The Bearcats are 2-7 all-time against their side of the bracket, with both victories being over Central Missouri and Augustana (S.D.) last season.

McKendree has nine individuals ranked in NCAA Super Region No. 3 in its lineup this weekend. Leading the way are nationall-ranked seniors Nick Haferkamp (Lincoln, Ill./Lincoln Community), Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) and John Vogt (Festus, Mo./Ste. Genevieve). Haferkamp and SMith are ranked No. 2 at 165 and 197 pounds, respectively, while Vogt is ranked No. 8 at 184 pounds. Sophomore Darren Wynn (Champaign, Ill./Centennial) is ranked No. 3 in the region at 141 pounds, while senior Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad) is ranked No. 4 at 157 pounds. Fellow seniors Luis Alba (Kissimmee, Fla./Cypress Creek) and Ross Janney (Daleville, Ind./Yorktown) are ranked No. 4 and No. 5 at 174 pounds and heavyweight, respectively, while sophomore Ryan Strope (Westphalia, Mo./Fatima) ane Trent Williams (Stillwater, Okla./Perry) both come in at No. 7 in the regional rankings at 133 and 149 pounds, repsectively. Graduate student Steve Murphy (Palos Park, Ill./Marian Catholic), juniors Andrew Krawulski (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill) and Coltyn Pease (Pittsfield, Ill./Pittsfield), sophomore Cole Reynolds (Bloomsdale, Mo./Ste. Genevieve) may also see mat time this weekend.

All matches can be followed live at www.trackwrestling.com and live video will also be available on all mats.

After the NWCA National Duals, the Bearcats will return for a home dual match against No. 10 Lindenwood University on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m.