Broll Takes Second at IIAC Wrestling Championships; Four Others Place

Buena Vista junior Brian Broll, ranked 10th nationally at 184, took second during Friday's Iowa Conference Wrestling Championships, hosted by Coe College.

Broll, seeded second, also secured himself a spot into this year's national tournament, as the top-three individuals in each weight class will advance.  He made his way into the championship bout after a pair of thrilling matches.  After receiving a first round bye, he captured a narrow 2-1 decision over seventh-seed Josh Kirkland of Loras College followed by a 7-5 triumph in sudden victory over third-seeded Ethan Ball of Coe College.

Now a three-time national qualifier, Broll, nearly became the program's first IIAC champion since 2007, but came up just short against top-seed and fourth-ranked Dylan Azinger of Wartburg College, falling 11-7.

Heavyweight Matt Sefcik finished his sophomore campaign with a sixth-place finish.  He worked his way back in the consolation bracket after suffering a narrow 6-4 loss in the quarterfinals to Luther's Connor Herman, whom he had beaten 6-1 during the IIAC Duals.  He then defeated Central's Jake Crawford before losing to Cornell's Carl Graul and David Vinton of the University of Dubuque.

The Beavers also had three wrestlers who placed eighth: Junior Austin Mogg (125), freshman Steve Gutschenritter (141) and freshman Kaine Leighty (149).

IIAC Wrestling Championship website

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