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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - East Stroudsburg University redshirt senior Braden Turner won the 165-pound title at the 35th Annual Midwest Classic at the University of Indianapolis on Sunday.

Turner claimed the title with a 6-1 decision over Jeff Weiss of UIndy. He had a first-period pin (2:52) of Dmitri Wells of Maryville in the semifinals on Sunday morning.

Freshman Joey Kratochvil placed 8th at 133 pounds, and ESU finished 13th of 29 schools with 40.5 points. The national field included eight of the top 20 teams in the most recent NWCA DII coaches poll, along with three others that are receiving votes, including ESU.

Kratochvil and freshman Connor Maliff (125) joined Turner to give the Warriors three quarterfinalists. Redshirt junior Luke DeLuise (184) and freshman Tyler Richardson (285) both won a pair of consolation bouts before bowing out. Maliff's day included a 6-5 decision over Matthew Turek (Gannon), ranked No. 6 in Division II and No. 2 in Super Region 1.

Turner dominated his competition on his way to the 165-pound title, going 5-0 while surrendering just four points along the way.

He opened with a 3-1 decision over Austin Harris (Western State), had a 10-2 major decision over Heath McGregor (NAIA Brewton-Parker) and an 8-0 major decision of Jacob Peasley (Lake Erie) to reach the semifinals.

He decked Wells with eight seconds left in the period in the semis, and controlled his match with Weiss in the final. After a scoreless first period, Turner scored two back points in the second before Weiss escaped late in the period. Turner got out eight seconds into the third period, then scored a late takedown plus the riding time point for a 6-1 victory.

Turner, ranked No. 8 in Division II at 165 pounds, improved to 16-4 against NCAA competition this season. He is a two-time returning national qualifier at 157 and earned All-America honors as a sophomore.

Kratochvil earned a trip to the quarterfinals at 133 with a 9-8 decision of Stephen Pastor (Tiffin) but was pinned by Brendan Murphy (McKendree) to fall into the consolation bracket. He secured a top-eight finish with a 7-6 decision over Scott Lopez (Wheeling Jesuit) before dropping his last two bouts.

Maliff's 6-5 decision over Turek to reach the 125-pound quarterfinals highlighted ESU's action on Saturday. He lost a 10-2 major decision against Brandon Oshiro (Maryville) and a 9-3 decision to Dalton Howard (Ashland) to finish his day.

DeLuise had three wins by decision on Saturday, winning his opening bout and his first two consolation matches. Richardson also won his first two matches in the consolations, including a second-period pin of Kenny Mason (Brewton-Parker).

The Warriors have an extended break until the start of the new year, traveling to Ohio for the Ashland Duals on Sunday, January 5.


125 - Connor Maliff
1st round - bye
2nd round - W, 6-5 dec. vs. No. 6 Matthew Turek (Gannon)
Quarterfinals - L, 10-2 maj. dec. vs. Brandon Oshiro (Maryville)
Consolations - L, 9-3 vs. Dalton Howard (Ashland)

133 - Joey Kratochvil
1st round - bye
2nd round - W, 9-8 vs. Stephen Pastor (Tiffin)
Quarterfinals - L, fall (0:48) vs. Brendan Murphy (McKendree)
Consolations - W, 7-6 dec. vs. Scott Lopez (Wheeling Jesuit)
Consolations - L, 10-1 maj. dec. vs. Zach Shank (Western State)
7th/8th match - vs. Austin Gillihan (Lake Erie)

141 - Joseph Hoy
1st round - bye
2nd round - L, fall (3:42) vs. No. 6 Daniel Ownbey (UNC Pembroke)
Consolations - L, 6-2 dec. vs. Isaac Morisette (Lake Erie)

149 - Ray Nicosia
1st round - bye
2nd round - L, fall (2:48) vs. Sejii Borja (Newberry)
Consolations - W, 14-4 maj. dec. vs. Connor Middleton (Baker)
Consolations - L, fall (2:53) vs. Rowdy Prior (Life)

157 - Eric Howey
1st round - L, fall (1:46) vs. Chase Boyd (Tiffin)
Consolations - Bryan Skoff (West Liberty) advances by medical forfeit

165 - No. 8 Braden Turner
1st round - W, 3-1 dec. vs. Austin Harris (Western State)
2nd round - W, 10-2 maj. dec. vs. Heath McGregor (Brewton-Parker)
Quarterfinals - W, 8-0 maj. dec. vs. Jacob Peasley (Lake Erie)
Semifinals - W, fall (2:52) vs. Dmitri Wells (Maryville)
Finals - W, 6-1 dec. vs. Jeff Weiss (Indianapolis)

174 - Joey Fogle
1st round - W, 12-4 maj. dec. vs. Zack Dicus (Coker)
2nd round - L, 11-1 maj. dec. vs. No. 2 Adam Walters (Findlay)
Consolations - L, 6-2 dec. vs. Christoph Matthews (Gannon)

184 - Luke DeLuise
1st round - W, 6-4 dec. vs. Chevez Farris (Lake Erie)
2nd round - L, 3-0 dec. vs. Brach Walker (UNC Pembroke)
Consolations - W, 6-2 dec. vs. Joshua Ploof (Central Missouri)
Consolations - W, 6-0 vs. Brandon Barger (Brewton-Parker)
Consolations - L, 3-0 vs. Jared Holliday (Newberry)

197 - Tyson Searer
1st round - L, fall (6:31) vs. Maxwell Lacey (Wheeling Jesuit)
Consolations - L, Injury Default (3:42) vs. Braden Carter (Newberry)

285 - Tyler Richardson
1st round - L, 7-0 vs. Ross Janney (McKendree)
Consolations - W, 2-1 dec. vs. Robert Zappitelli (Lake Erie)
Consolations - W, fall (4:20) vs. Kenny Mason (Brewton-Parker)
Consolations - L, 9-4 vs. Austin Akins (Coker)