Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
NCAA Championships
Army Completes Day 1 of NCAA Championships
March 16, 2023 | Wrestling
TULSA, Okla. – The Army West Point wrestling team completed Day One of competition at the NCAA Championships at BOK Center, as three Cadet-Athletes represented Army in the Championships. Junior Ben Pasiuk continues his postseason campaign after defeating Rutgers' Jackson Turley in the Consolation No. 1 bout.
How it Happened
Junior #33 (in the country) Nate Lukez kicked the morning off for the Black Knights, competing against Vinny Zerban in the 157-prelims. Lukez the 33rd seed, fell to Zerban, the 32nd seed by a 6-5 decision. In Session 2, Lukez faced off against Jared Hill of Oklahoma. Hill defeated Lukez by a 7-6 decision.
In Session 1, #13 Ethan Berginc went up against Jack Medley of Michigan in the Championship Round. 17th seed Berginc was bested by #16 Jack Medley by a decision (4-2). Later in the afternoon, Berginc competed against #33 Tucker Owens of Air Force. Scoring between Berginc and Owens went back and forth. Entering the third period, Owens and Berginc were tied 5-5. Owens defeated Berginc by a 9-7 decision.
Entering the NCAA Championships, Army's #12 (in the country) Ben Pasiuk was seeded 14th. Pasiuk faced off against Northwestern's Troy Fisher in the Championship Round. Scoring between Pasiuk and Fisher went back and forth. In the final seconds in the third period, Pasiuk scored a final second takedown forcing sudden victory. Pasiuk fell to Fisher by a 10-8 sudden victory.
In Session 2, Ben Pasiuk competed against 30th-seed Jackson Turley of Rutgers in the Consolation Round 1 bout. Pasiuk commanded the mat early, taking an early 6-3 lead going into the second period. Entering the third period, Pasiuk had an 8-4 lead. In the third period, Turley cut into Pasiuk's lead, making it a 9-6 match. In the third period, Pasiuk earned an escape with a minute left in the period, making it a 10-7 match. With riding time secured, Pasiuk defeated Turley by a 12-9 decision.
Complete results from today as well as team as well as brackets click HERE:
Cadet's Corner
"We didn't start the way we wanted, but understood tough times make tough people. Now time to fight back and get on the podium! And most importantly have fun." – Ben Pasiuk
RESULTS
125 | 17-seed Ethan Berginc
Round of 32: #16 Jack Medley (Michigan) dec. #17 Ethan Berginc (Army), 4-2
Cons. Round No. 1: #33 Tucker Owens (Air Force) dec. #17 Ethan Berginc (Army), 9-7
157 | 33-seed Nate Lukez
Prelims No. 1: #32 Vinny Zerban (Northern Colorado) dec. #33 Nate Lukez (Army), 6-5
Prelims No. 2: #30 Jared Hill (Oklahoma) dec. #33 Nate Lukez (Army), 7-6
174 | 14-seed Ben Pasiuk
Round of 32: #19 Troy Fisher (Northwestern) dec. #14 Ben Pasiuk (Army), SV, 10-8
Cons Round No. 1: #14 Ben Pasiuk (Army) dec. #30 Jackson Turley (Rutgers), 12-9
Up Next
The Black Knights will compete in Session Three of the NCAA Championships on Friday, March 17 at 12 p.m. EST.
Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point Wrestling, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_Wres and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.
