Life University Athletics

FORT WAYNE, IND. – No. 7 Life University got the new year started off right as they took third place at the NWCA National Duals on Thursday and Friday.
 
"Obviously we don't train to get third place finish, but I can say we showed up and competed at a high level" Head Coach Omi Acosta said. "We wrestled some top-ranked teams and showed how tough we can be as a team. We have room for growth, and that's what excites me about the next part of the season."
 
With a third-place finish, Life U had the highest finish of any Mid-South Conference school and had two wins over Top 5 teams.
 
In the first round, the Running Eagles downed Concordia (Neb.) 43-3. Stephen Moreno won the 125 match by a 9-8 tie-breaker. Marcus Abreu took a 4-3 decision to win the 141 match. Denver Stonecheck earned a fall in 1:47 in the 149 match. Nosomy Pozo took a 14-5 major decision in the 157 match. Lucius van Rensburg won the 165 match with a fall in 2:35. Hunter Smith won a 5-2 decision in the 184 match.
 
Life U took down fellow MSC school No. 4 University of the Cumberlands 19-16 in the Quarterfinals. Mason Calvert won a 11-8 decision in the 141 match. Kalob Rahoi took a 8-0 major decision in the 157 match. Nosomy Pozo earned a 7-3 decision in the 165 match. Lucius van Rensburg won an 11-5 decision in the 174 match. Dalton Bailey took an 8-6 decision in the 197 decision. Brandon Hill earned an 6-4 decision in the 285 match.
 
The Running Eagles fell to No. 1 Grand View (Iowa) 36-6 in the semifinal round, and only won two matches in the dual. Lucas Patterson won an 8-3 decision in the 133 match and Nosomy Pozo won a 11-4 decision in the 157 match.
 
In the third-place match, Life U shocked No. 2 Missouri Valley 27-6. Mason Calvert claimed a 10-6 decision in the 141 match. Denver Stonecheck earned a fall in 0:48 in the 149 match. Nosomy Pozo won the 165 match with a 3-2 decision. Kaleb Rahoi won a 5-2 decision in the 174 match. Lucius van Rensburg won by fall in 1:46 in the 184 match. Hunter Smith earned a 12-9 decision in the 197 match. Dalton Bailey took a 5-1 decision to claim the 285 match.
 
The Running Eagles are back in action as they travel to Lakeland, Fla. on Saturday Jan. 13 when they get back to MSC play in a dual against Southeastern.