INDIANAPOLIS, IND.-- Trine University wrestler Mackenzie Green notched a third-place finish in the Midwest Classic, held Saturday and Sunday at University of Indianapolis' Nicoson Hall.
Green (Buchanan, Mich.) placed third in the 285 lb class at the event, which included competitors from NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA. Green defeated Division II wrestler Donnell Walker of Maryville University by a 2-1 decision in the third-place match. The junior reached the semifinals of the meet with a pair of wins over wrestlers from Division II schools King (Tenn.) and Coker yesterday. Green lost in a 5-3 decision to eventual 285 lb class champion Matt Wade of Newberry- another Division II wrestler. Green rallied to win by fall over Upper Iowa's Logan Hopp to advance to the third-place match. All told, Green finished 4-1 on the weekend- all against Division II competition.
The strong performance by Green was enough to earn Trine 17.5 team points in the event. Brandon Preston (Logansport, Ind.) earned the Thunder two points with a victory by 7-6 decision over Division II wrestler Colby Yates of Limestone.
Trine earned 19.5 points overall in event to place 23rd out of 30 teams. The Thunder finished first among Division III schools competing in meet. Division II powerhouse Newberry, ranked fourth in the nation, took home first with 127 points.
The Thunder wrestlers will get a couple weeks off for the holidays before returning to the mats Saturday, Jan. 4 at the University of Chicago Duals. The meet is scheduled to get underway at 1:00 p.m. CST.