SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Feb. 24, 2023) - The Buena Vista University wrestling team began the NCAA DIII Lower Midwest Regional Tournament on Friday morning and will have seniors Axel Hernandez (141) and Garret Bruce (174) advancing into Saturday's final day of action.

Hernandez, who got back onto the mat for the first time since mid-December, had to wrestle a preliminary match to begin the day and won by fall over Schreiner University's Naikoa Simao late in the third period. He followed that up with a hard fought 4-3 decision over seventh-seed and ninth-ranked Bryce Parke of Coe College, whom he had lost to by major decision when the two teams met up inside of Siebens Fieldhouse for an American Rivers Conference dual back on December 8. He came up short in his bid for consecutive upsets as he fell to seventh-ranked Eric Kincaid of Loras College, 7-0.  Hernandez kept his season alive in the consolations by winning a 5-1 decision over Cornell College's Carter Fecht - his second victory over Fecht this season.

Bruce fell in his first round match 8-3 before bouncing back with a strong 13-2 major decision over Augustana's (Ill.) Vinny Querciagrossa.  He guaranteed himself a spot on the podium by winning by injury default in the second round of consolation matches over John Ward from the University of the Ozarks.

Senior Brandon Foster picked up a win in his preliminary match before dropping consecutive matches by decision to end his career. Nolan Nguyen notched a win in the first round of consolations while Jesus Ceja picked up a win in his preliminary match.

Buena Vista has 18.5 points overall and sits in 16th place of the 19 teams, just in front of Simpson College (17.5pts).

Action on Saturday is set to resume at 10:00 a.m. The top-3 placewinners at each weight will advance to the NCAA DIII National Tournament.