CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - After a two days of competing at the Lower Midwest Regionals, the No. 17 Loras College Duhawk wrestling team saw three of its own punch their tickets to the NCAA Division III National Championships.

At 149 lbs., sophomore Eric Kinkaid went 4-0 to crown himself champion. After a first round bye, Kinkaid secured three bonus point victories (fall in 1:29, 15-0 tech, and 11-2 major decision) on his way to finals. A rematch with the #1 seed from Wartburg College awaited him.

After grabbing a takedown and near-fall early in the first period off a cradle, Kinkaid cruised to a 12-5 decision win, avenging a loss from the Wartburg dual on Feb. 9.

Sophomore Dustin Bohren (165 lbs.) punched his ticket after his 3rd place finish. Bohren reached the semifinals after a bye in the first round, pin in 2:16, and 5-1 win in the quarterfinals before losing to the #2 seed. Like Kinkaid, Bohren avenged a loss from the Wartburg dual, beating the Knight 5-4 in the consolation semifinals. In the 3rd place match, Bohren captured a 1-0 decision win, his second victory over his opponent in the tournament.

At 174 lbs., senior Zeb Gnida finished his tournament in 1st place. Back-to-back technical falls and a 4-2 win the semifinals set up another rematch with the #1 seed from Wartburg for the Purple and Gold. With the match close, tied 1-1 towards the end of the 3rd period, Gnida managed to snag a late takedown to win 4-1, avenging once more for Loras a loss from the Wartburg dual and defeating the #1 ranked wrestler in the country.

Aiden Evans (7th-125 lbs), Jalen Schropp (4th-141 lbs), Gabe Fiser (7th-157 lbs), and Kam Royster (7th-184 lbs) all placed as well. As a team, the Duhawks finished in 4th place with 118.5 points.

The three qualifiers will wrestle at the NCAA Division III National Championships from March 15-16 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to complete the season.

TEAM SCORES
1. Wartburg College - 195.5
2. North Central College - 165.5
3. Coe College - 153.0
4. Loras College - 118.5
5. Cornell College - 112.5
6. Luther College - 100.5
7. Millikin College - 93.0
8. Central College - 92.5
9. University of Dubuque - 70.5
10. Augustana College (IL) - 57.0
11. Westminster College - 51.0
12. University of the Ozarks - 42.5
13. Huntingdon College - 40.0
14. Buena Vista University - 22.5
15. Eureka College - 22.0
16. Schreiner College - 9.5
17. Nebraska Wesleyan University - 6.0
18. Simpson College - 5.5
19. Illinois Wesleyan University - 5.0
20. Fontbonne College - 2.0