NCAA III Tournament begins today, Figgins, Hanson seeded
Jon Denham, Sports Information Director
March 7, 2008

Loras College wrestlers Jay Figgins and Erik Hanson begin their quest for all-american status and an individual national championship today at the NCAA III Championships at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Figgins, a senior from Clinton, Iowa, earned the #8 seed at 184-pounds and drew Elliot Smith of Springfield. Smith is a senior from Richville, New York. Smith finished second at the New England Wrestling Association's tournament and earned a wild card slot to this weekend's tournament. A win by Figgins would likely set up an IIAC Championship rematch with #1 seed Romeo Djoumessi.

Hanson, a sophomore from Lansing, Illinois is the #5 seed at 157-pounds. He begins the tournament against Mike Martini of Rhode Island College. These two wrestlers faced off in the Budd Whitehill duals in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in early January. Hanson won a 5-3 decision that day. A win would likely set up a rematch for Hanson as well. Jesse Milks of UW-Platteville is the #4 seed. Milks won in the closing moments of the match in the Graber Center in Dubuque on February 1.

FOLLOW THE NCAA III CHAMPIONSHIPS HERE