LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Third-ranked Southeastern went 2-0 during the first day of competition at the 2023 NWCA National Team Duals with wins over No. 17 Cumberlands and No. 7 Marian to advance to Saturday's semifinals.
The Fire defeated Cumberlands 25-16, then pulled away late in the quarterfinal against Marian for a 21-13 win.
With two wins during the first day of competition for the first time in program history, Southeastern is guaranteed its highest finish at the national duals in four appearances.
The Fire (8-1) had bonus points in four of their six wins against Cumberlands. Third-ranked
Parker Dobrocky broke a 3-3 tie in the match with a 14-3 major decision over No. 8 Bryce Nickel but the Patriots answered with a first period fall at 149 in the next match.
Trace Braun picked up a major decision with a 14-2 win at 157 and
Stephen Kelle gave the Fire the lead back with an 8-3 win at 174.
With the Patriots getting bonus points at 184 to take a 16-14 lead with two matches to go,
Trillyon Fils-Aime removed any hope of a comeback with his first-period fall at 197.
Esau Bazilme defeated his second Top 10 opponent of the season with a gritty 3-1 win over No. 9 Anthony Hughes of Marian. Dobrocky picked up his second ranked victory in as many matches with a 9-4 win over No. 5 Logan Wagner at 141.
Andreus Bond moved momentum in the direction of the Fire, coming back from an early first period injury to come up with a win by fall at 2:30 highlighted by a powerful mat return to secure the win.
The Knights scored seven points with wins at 157 and 165 to get within two at 12-10 with four matches left.
Stephen Kelle picked up a 3-1 win with a takedown with no time remaining to secure his 174-pound match. Fils-Aime also scored a takedown late in his 197-pound match for a 3-2 decision to give the Fire an 18-13 lead.
Gabe Jacobs was a 7-2 winner in his SEU debut to lock up the semifinal trip.
Southeastern will take on Life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, then will face either Grand View or Doane at 3 p.m.
SOUTHEASTERN 25, CUMBERLANDS 16
125 Austin Franco (Cumberlands) def.
Isaac Crowell (SEU) Dec 4-3 0 3.0
133 Isaac Lopez (SEU) def. Conner Burrus (Cumberlands) Dec 7-2 3.0 0
141
Parker Dobrocky (SEU) def. Bryce Nickel (Cumberlands) Maj 14-3 4.0 0
149 Jace Luchau (Cumberlands) def.
Kael Brisker (SEU) Fall 0:35 0 6.0
157
Trace Braun (SEU) def. James Dosado (Cumberlands) Maj 14-2 4.0 0
165 Turner Black (Cumberlands) def.
Wyatt Kirkham (SEU) Dec 6-3 0 3.0
174
Stephen Kelle (SEU) def. Tj Huber (Cumberlands) Dec 8-3 3.0 0
184 Tobias Garrison (Cumberlands) def.
Christian Just (SEU) Maj 12-4 0 4.0
197
Trillyon Fils-Aime (SEU) def. CJ Figueroa-Orduno (Cumberlands) Fall 1:20 6.0 0
285
Gage Braun (Southeastern) over Wylie Dunn (Cumberlands)) TF 20-2 5.0 0
SOUTHEASTERN 21, MARIAN 13
125
Esau Bazilme (SEU) over Anthony Hughes (Marian) Dec 3-1 3.0 0
133 Blake Mulkey (Marian) over Isaac Lopez (SEU) Dec 5-1 0 3.0
141
Parker Dobrocky (SEU) over Logan Wagner (Marian) Dec 9-4 3.0 0
149
Andreus Bond (SEU) over Seth Johnson (Marian) Fall 2:30 6.0 0
157 Bailey Moore (Marian) over
Trace Braun (SEU) Dec 7-4 0 3.0
165 Elliott Rodgers (Marian) over Salvador Silva (SEU) Maj 15-4 0 4.0
174
Stephen Kelle (SEU) over Noah Hollendonner (Marian) Dec 3-1 3.0 0
184 Sam Osho (Marian) over
Coleman Bryant (SEU) Dec 10-3 0 3.0
197
Trillyon Fils-Aime (SEU) over Jack Servies (Marian) Dec 3-2 3.0 0
285
Gabe Jacobs (SEU) over Austin Lane (Marian) Dec 7-2 3.0 0
