Tiffin University, with 8 wrestlers still battling for NCAA National Championship berths, finished day one of the Midwest Regional in 4th place.

The Dragons with 43.5 points, trailed Newberry (52.5), Lake Erie (47.5), and Ashland (45.5). Findlay was in fifth with 39 points.

Trey Grine (149), Chase Boyd (174), and Nicholas Mason (197) were all unbeaten after the first day's action. Grine looked strong, defeating Belmont Abbey 18-0 and then outpointing King 10-3.

Boyd had a first round bye then won via injury in 3:07 to reach semifinal action. 

Mason opened with a pin in 3:55 against UNC-Pembroke and then won again 9-4 over King.

Five other Dragons were still battling through the consolation rounds. Giuseppe Penzone (125) opened with a massive 18-1 win over Coker before struggling through an 18-8 loss to UNC-Pembroke. He then bounced back in strong fashion 17-1 against Bellarmine.

Brian LaVearn (141) also posted two pins and came within one point of also being unbeaten. He flattened Coker in 2:40, but fell 12-11 to Newberry. He then came back to pin UNC-Pembroke in 3:23.

Beau Minnick (157) opened with a 10-4 win over King but also lost a close one 3-1 in sudden victory to Newberry. He advanced after a forfeit win over Limestone.

Richard Screptock (165) dropped a close one 5-2 in his opener to Findlay, but then continued on with a bye anad a 7-3 win over Indianapolis.

Hayden Bronne (184) also stayed alive, as the national falls leader at 184 pounds posted two pins - one over Belmont Abbey in 2:13 and one over Coker in 54 seconds. Sandwiched in between was a narrow 5-2 loss to Indianapolis.

Rico Puente (133) and Caleb Fry (285) both dropped both of their matches on the first day.

The Regional continues on Feb. 24 at 11 am.