Fort Wayne, IN -The Roger Williams University Wrestling team traveled to the Fort Wayne Convention Center for the NWCA Multi-Divisional National Duals. The team placed 3rd at the national-duals with a 3-1 record. The Hawks defeated Baldwin Wallace 24-11, Ithaca College 17-15, and Concordia Moorhead 26-18 and fell to #1 seed Wartburg 43-3. The Hawks are the highest placing team ever from New England to place at the NWCA Multi-Divisional National Dual.

The Hawks were off to a strong start at the NWCA national duals taking on Baldwin Wallace. Sophomore, Justin Cochran (Paramus, N.J) won his weight class at 141 defeating Zach Taylor. Junior, Danny Downes (Houston, TX) defeated Joey Schmidt winning his weight class at 149. Also, winning their weight classes were junior Ty Herzog (Slatington, PA) at 157, junior Alec Golner (Tyngsborough, MA) at 165, junior Joe Albina (Milford, N.H.) at 184, senior and caption David Welch (Salem N.H.) at 197 and junior Kyle Forster (Somers, CT.) at 285. The Hawks won the dual over Baldwin Wallace 24-11 which, would send them to the quarter-finals to face Ithaca College.
 
The quarter-finals against Ithaca College would be a close one for the Hawks. Junior Danny Downes (Houston, TX) started it off for the hawks winning his weight class at 149, followed by junior Ty Herzog (Slatington, PA) at 157. Senior and caption Dan Ressler (Hillsdale, N.J.) also won his weight class at 174 as well as senior and captain David Welch (Salem, N.H). The hawks were down 15-14 when junior Kyler Foster (Somers, CT) would come out with the win over Matthew Booth at 285 for the hawks to take the victory 17-15.

The hawks would then face off against the #1 seed Wartburg. Senior David Welch (Salen, N.H.) defeated Gerard Roman of Wartburg in the weight class of 197.
 
The Hawks would go on to defeat Concordia- Moorhead 26-18 for a third place finish at the NWCA national-duals. Junior Danny Downes (Houston, TX) finished with a win for his weight class at 149. Senior Ty Herzog would also walk away with a win at 157. As well as, junior Alec Golner (Tyngsborough, Mass.) at 165, senior and caption Dan Ressler  (Hillsdale, N.J.) at 174, senior and captain David Welch (Salem, N.H.)  at 197 and junior Kyle Foster (Somer, CT) at 285.

Head Coach Jon Egan quoted "This weekend was a total team effort. Every guy had an important role and exceeded our expectations. Our hard work is paying off. Time to get back to the grind and get better from here."
The hawks defeated #5, #6 and #16 nationally ranked teams at the NWCA national event.

The Hawks will be in action again on Friday January 15, at Daniel Webster College with LUI Post.