CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (blugolds.com) - University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestler Nathaniel Behnke (Sr.-Bruce, WI) finished his career as an All-American with a third place finish at the NCAA Division III National Championship on Saturday.
Nathaniel Behnke lost a heartbreaker to Elmhurst's Jimmy Nehls, 5-3 in his first match of the day. Behnke had a 2-1 lead after securing a takedown late in the first period. Fast forward to the final 30 seconds of the match after both wrestlers each earned a point for an escape, and Behnke was then hit for his second stalling call. This tied up the match, and Nehls took Behnke down with less than ten seconds remaining to advance to the finals.
In the consolation semifinals, Behnke responded with a big pinfall victory over Gregory Warner. He scored a takedown within the first ten seconds of the match, later got reversed and rode out the rest of the way. Behnke began the second period on top, and quickly turned Warner for four points. Moments later, the senior from Bruce tightened up a single armbar and got the fall, sending him to the third place match against No. 5-seeded Justin Kihn from Heidelberg.
In his final match of his career, Behnke finished in dominating fashion, coasting to a 9-0 decision. The Blugolds' all-time wins leader capped off a great career by defeating Heidelberg's Justin Kihn for third place at the NCAA Championships. Within seconds of the opening whistle, Behnke took Kihn down and immediately locked in a tight cradle. Despite being unable to get a second consecutive pin, Behnke did lead 6-0 in a hurry after the nearfall. From there, he picked up an escape, a stalling point, and a point for riding time.
Behnke finishes his career with a 122-33 record, the most wins in program history.
