DeLuca, Engelland Narrowly Miss All-America Distinction

UW-Oshkosh's Carl DeLuca (Jr. • Wisconsin Rapids) and Sam Engelland (Jr. • Neenah) both came within one victory of earning All-America honors at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Wrestling Championship held Friday and Saturday (March 11-12) in La Crosse.

DeLuca, who compiled a 1-2 record as an unseeded contestant in the 125-pound weight class, received an at-large invitation to the national meet after finishing second at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship held Feb. 27.

DeLuca's inaugural NCAA postseason experience began with a 5-4 win over sixth-seeded Ben Prester of Concordia College (Minn.). DeLuca then lost on a pin in 2:10 to third-seeded Albie McKinney of UW-La Crosse.

In the consolation bracket, DeLuca (19-13) lost a 16-1 decision to eighth-seeded Alex Crown of Waynesburg College (Pa.).

Top-seeded Clayton Rush of Coe College (Iowa) won the 125-pound title with an 11-8 victory over McKinney in the championship bout.

Engelland tallied a 2-2 record as an unseeded participant in the 184-pound weight division. He also received an at-large bid to the national meet after placing second at the WIAC Championship.

Engelland opened his third straight appearance at the NCAA Division III Championship with a 6-4 win over unseeded Justin Marble of Wheaton College (Ill.). Engelland then lost a 6-2 result to third-seeded Mike Denver of The College of New Jersey.

In the consolation bracket, Engelland (31-8) defeated unseeded Andrew Roberts of Cornell College (Iowa) before suffering a 5-2 setback to eighth-seeded Dustin Baker of St. John's University (Minn.).

Phil Moenkedick of Concordia College grabbed the 184-pound title with a 2-1 victory over Ben Engelland of UW-Stevens Point in the championship match. Ben Engelland is the older brother of UW-Oshkosh's Sam Engelland.

All-America awards were presented to the top eight finishers in each of the 10 weight classes. Both DeLuca and Engelland placed ninth.

Wartburg College (Iowa) scored 117 points to capture its eighth NCAA Division III title. Defending champion Augsburg College (Minn.) finished second with 88.5 points, while UW-La Crosse placed third with 76.5, Ithaca College (N.Y.) fourth with 72.5 and Coe College fifth with 67. UW-Oshkosh finished 38th in the 60-team meet with five points.