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Four NIACC wrestlers move to semifinals

niacc_trojans_logoDES MOINES – Early in the week, Paul Mascarenas was not sure if he was going to be able to wrestle in the NJCAA national tournament because of an ankle injury.

Now, the NIACC 125-pounder is two wins away from claiming the national title.
Mascarenas advanced to the semifinals Friday night by pinning Matthew Nguyen of Southwest Oregon in 53 seconds in the quarterfinals. Mascarenas (24-10) moved to the quarterfinal round with two wins by decision earlier Friday.

“It’s been hurting pretty bad,” said Mascarenas, who is ranked seventh. “You have to go out there and to it for the guys.

“I didn’t think I was going to wrestle. I couldn’t put any weight on it. (Friday) was the first day I was able to walk on it without a boot. I’m just doing it for the guys. We have a good shot to win nationals.”

NIACC is in third place heading into Saturday’s all-American rounds with 79 points. Clackamas CC is in first place with 94 points and Iowa Central is in second place with 82 points.

Mascarenas said he was in a bit of a slump heading into the national tournament. He placed third at the North Central district meet and had dropped two straight dual matches heading into the district meet.

“What happened before nationals is behind you,” Mascarenas said. “(Friday) I felt the best that I’ve felt all year.”

NIACC coach Steve Kelly called Mascarenas’ performance in his three matches on Friday “gutsy.”

“Extremely gutsy,” Kelly said. “What an inspiration to everyone.”

Mascarenas was one of four NIACC wrestlers to advance to the semifinals Friday.

Jake Marlin (141), Nosomy Pozo (149) and Yoanse Mejias (157) also advanced to the semifinals with Friday night wins. Marlin and Pozo both picked up technifal falls and Mejias won by decision.

Marlin (24-5) moved to the semifinals with a 21-3 technical fall over Pratt’s Andrew Beck. Marlin picked up a technical fall and a pin in his first two matches on Friday.

Pozo (29-6) gained a 17-0 technical fall over Darton’s Ezelle Parks in his semifinal match. The top-ranked defending champion received a first-round bye and gained a major decision in his second-round match.

Mejias (32-4) stopped North Idaho’s Tyler McLean 9-4 in his quarterfinal match. Mejias, the defending 157-pound champion, advanced to the quarterfinals with a technical fall and a 30-second fall.

Shiquan Hall stayed alive in the consolation bracket and guaranteed himself all-American status with a 5-4 triple-overtime win over Ellsworth’s Jacob Igartua in a fourth-round consolation match.

NIACC’s 285-pounder Lawrence Phillips was pinned in his fourth-round consolation match in the final seconds by John Hatch of Southwest Oregon.

Phillips was leading when he was pinned and eliminated from the tournament.

“It’s such a roller-coaster ride,” Kelly said. “There’s so many emotions that go through your head.”

NIACC is guaranteed at least five all-Americans, which is the most since the Trojans had six all-Americans in the 2008 season when they placed fourth in the team race.

“We have to be happy,” Kelly said. “But we have a job to do (Saturday). We have a chance to score some points.”

NIACC’s quarterfinal results
125 – Paul Mascarenas (N) pinned Matthew Nguyen (Southwest Oregeon), :53.
133 – Mizam Tamaradze (Springfield Tech) dec. Shiquan Hall (N), 5-3.
141 – Jake Marlin (N) tech. fall Andrew Beck (Pratt), 21-3.
149 – Nosomy Pozo (N) tech. fall Ezelle Parks (Darton), 17-0.
157 – Yoanse Mejias (N) dec. Tyler McLean (North Idaho), 9-4.

Second-round championship results
125 – Mascarenas (N) dec. Joe Disiascca (Labette), 8-5.
133 – Hall (N) pinned Khalil Zawaide (Bergen), 6:05.
141 – Marlin (N) pinned Mike Malles (Triton), 1:00.
149 – Pozo (N) major dec. Chris Garcia (Clackamas), 11-3.
157 – Mejias (N) pinned Lucas Lias (Iowa Western), :30.
174 – Mason Courtright (Muskegon) pinned Jacoby Benjaim (N), 2:14.
285 – Donavan Lozada (Springfield Tech) dec. Lawrence Phillips (N), 9-8.

NIACC first-round wrestling results
125 – Mascarenas (N) dec. Dylan Booth (Sullivan County), 7-3.
133 – Hall (N) major dec. Sammy Rosario (Dartin), 12-4.
141 – Marlin (N) tech. fall Kerin Mameriz (Harper), 17-1.
149 – Pozo (N) received a first-round bye.
157 – Mejias (N) tech. fall Ryan Fulton (Triton), 21-5.
165 – Greg Jaquez (Harper) dec. Quincy Kalkbrenner (N), 4-2.
174 – Benjamin (N) dec. Austin Lynn (Jamestown), 7-6.
184 – De’Andre Jones (Labette) dec. Ben Wallace (N), 5-1.
197 – Tanner VanDalsen (Lincoln) dec. Kyler Mathews (N), 3-1.
285 – Phillips (N) pinned Jay Sroufe (Muskegon), :23.

NIACC fourth-round consolation matches
133 – Hall (N) dec. Jacob Igartua (Ellsworth), 5-4 (3OT).
285 – John Hatch (Southwest Oregon) pinned Phillips (N), 6:42.
NIACC third-round consolation matches
165 – Kaelen Loveless (Northwest Wyoming) dec. Kalkbrenner (N), 3-1 (OT).
174 – Zakaria Small (Nassau CC) dec. Benjamin (N), 6-0.
197 – Johnathan Dennis (North Idaho) major dec. Mathews (N), 14-3.
285 – Phillips (N) pinned Nolan Smith (Labette), :24.

NIACC’s second-round consolation results
165 – Kalkbrenner (N) won by injury default over Connor Donahue (Glouchester CC).
174 – Benjamin (N) dec. Michael Zupan (Itasca), 3-1 (OT).
197 – Mathews (N) pinned Zach Black (Wentworth Militiary), 2:10.
285 – Phillips (N) pinned John Wittman (Ridgewater College), 3:15.

NIACC first-round consolation
165 – Kalkbrenner (N) received a bye.
184 – Wouvel Chevelon (Iowa Lakes) pinned Wallace (N), 5:58.
197 – Mathews (N) received a bye.

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