Wabash wrestlers Johnny Dillon and Jake Strausbaugh battled through a difficult field of 24 of the top teams in NCAA Division II, Division III, and the NAIA to earn top-eight finishes at the 2010 Midwest Wrestling Classic, hosted by the University of Indianapolis. Dillon took fourth place at 149 pounds, while Strausbaugh finished in sixth place at 141 pounds.
Dillon (left) lost 10-3 in his opening round Sunday morning against third-seeded Mitch Smith from West Liberty, but rallied for a 4-3 win against number-eight seed Dave Lopez of the host Greyhounds in the consolation bracket. An 8-6 loss in the championship round to fourth-seeded Bryan Massong from Mount St. Joseph gave Dillon his fourth-place finish.
Strausbaugh lost three consecutive matches Sunday to top-seeded wrestlers. His opening match against fifth-seeded Adams State's Josh Hensley --- the eventual champion at 141 pounds --- ended in a pin at the 5:32 mark. Strausbaugh dropped a 6-1 decision in the consolation semifinals against fourth-seeded Jeremy Parker from Limestone. Strausbaugh came up short in a 7-6 loss to number-two seeded Vince Tucker from Olivet in the finals.
Josh Boyer, the only other Wabash wrestler to advance to Sunday's second day of competition, lost in his first bout of the day to Corey Stewart. Stewart went on to finish seventh overall at 125 pounds.
Wabash finished in a tie for 15th place in the final team scoring with 40 points.