Tucker places sixth as Eureka wraps season at NCAA Regionals

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Eureka men's wrestling team wrapped up its season Saturday and Sunday at NCAA Regionals, hosted by Loras, highlighted by a sixth-place finish from Billy Tucker.

Competing at 149 pounds, Tucker earned a sixth-place finish to lead the Red Devils. After opening with a loss by fall in 1:27 to Ashton Hayhurst of Dubuque, Tucker responded with three consecutive wins in the consolation bracket. He secured a technical fall in 4:59, followed with an 18-9 major decision victory, and a 10-5 decision to advance to the consolation semifinals. Tucker again faced Hayhurst and fell by pin in 1:59 before dropping the fifth-place match by fall in 4:09 to Ty Koedam of Coe to claim sixth place and close out his collegiate career.

At 157 pounds, senior Alex Muhammad rebounded from an opening-round loss by fall in 2:48 with back-to-back consolation victories. He recorded a fall in 1:29 and a technical fall in 4:26 before his tournament ended with a loss by fall in 1:28.

Trevor Hedges started strong at 141 pounds, earning a fall in 1:05 in his opening bout. He later fell by technical fall in 4:48 to eventual third-place finisher Pierre Baldwin of Central and concluded his day with a loss by default.

Fresh off his SLIAC title, Sargent Maubach competed at 174 pounds. He opened with a loss by technical fall in 3:31, bounced back with a technical fall win in 2:43 and saw his run end with an 11-0 major decision loss.

At 133 pounds, Tristan Mosack dropped his first match by fall in 1:48 to eventual runner-up Patrick Mullen of Wartburg before being eliminated with a 19-6 major decision loss. Caleb Ohnesorge wrestled at 165 pounds and fell by pin in 2:48 to eventual third-place finisher Brian Petry of Cornell before dropping his second bout by fall in 2:17. Tyren Moore (184) was pinned in both of his matches in 1:55 and 2:36, while Patrick Fields (197) fell in back-to-back bouts by fall in 0:16 and 0:34.

The regional marked the final competition in a Red Devil uniform for seniors Tucker and Muhammad.

Head coach Eric Biehl reflected on the year and the growth of the program.

"We knew this year would be a challenge based off our successful history," Biehl said. "However, in our 'down year' we had a winning record, three all-conference athletes, one conference champion, and a placer at regionals."

Biehl also highlighted the team's development and culture.

"Our freshman class stepped up and filled varsity roles and our seniors led steady," Biehl said. "We achieved above a 3.0 GPA as a team and carried our biggest roster since we started the program four years ago."

Looking ahead, Biehl expressed optimism about what is to come.

"The season has ended but we already have a great class coming in and are adding more to supplement this good group of returners," he said. "The past has been bright and so is our future."