LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the third year in a row, the Johnson & Wales University wrestling team has worked its way into the semifinals of the NWCA National Duals. The Wildcats won a pair of bouts on Friday at the Kentucky Exhibition Center.

Day two begins for the Wildcats with a showdown against second-ranked Wartburg at 11 a.m.

The Wildcats won the last two bouts to defeat #6 Mount Union, 21-19. Johnson & Wales started the day by defeating #21 Millikin, 31-18. 

JWU jumped out to an 11-4 lead against Mount Union thanks to a tech fall at 125 pounds from second-ranked Jay Albis and back-to-back decisions by #7 Joe Ferinde at 141 pounds and 149-pounder Da'mani Burns.

The Raiders answered by winning three of the next four matches to open an 18-14 lead. Senior Khamri Thomas bumped up to 197 pounds to win 5-0 over Tyler Stepic. Also moving up a weight class was Michael DiNardo and his 9-1 major decision at 285 pounds secured the team victory.

The first match of the day against Millikin was over in the first four bouts. After getting a forfeit at 125 pounds, Bobby Jordan pinned Ren Dazey in just 1:24 of their 133-pound bout. 

Burns pinned Wilyonde Bell at the 1:58 mark of the first period. Senior Adrian Gonzalez started a run of three-straight wins with his pin at 165 pounds against Christian Chandler. 

#3 Johnson & Wales 31, #21 Millikin 18
125         #2 Jay Albis (JWU) wins by forfeit                                                                                   6-0
133         Bobby Jordan (JWU) over Ren Dazey (MIL) Fall 1:24                                                        12-0
141         #4 Chris Williams (MIL) over #7 Joe Ferinde (JWU) Decision 5-0                                       12-3
149         #3 Da'mani Burns (JWU) over Wilyonde Bell (MIL) Fall 1:58                                             18-3
157         #8 Bradan Birt (MIL) over Thomas Grippi (JWU) Decision 5-2                                            18-6
165         Adrian Gonzalez (JWU) over Christian Chandler (MIL) Fall 3:40                                          24-6
174         Michael Gargano (JWU) over Austin Hedrick (MIL) Decision 4-2                                          27-6
184         #3 Khamri Thomas (JWU) over Tyjonn Lockett (MIL) Major Decision 13-3                           31-6
197         #3 Keajion Jennings (MIL) wins by forfeit                                                                         31-12
285         Diata Drayton (MIL) wins by forfeit                                                                                  31-18

#3 Johnson & Wales 21, #6 Mount Union 19
125         #2 Jay Albis (JWU) over Nolan Wochna (MUC) Tech Fall 16-0                                             5-0
133         #9 Jordin James (MUC) over Bobby Jordan (JWU) Major Decision 12-4                               5-4
141         #7 Joe Ferinde (JWU) over David Massey (MUC) Decision 4-1                                            8-4
149         #3 Da'mani Burns (JWU) over Luke Hernandez (MUC) Decision 6-2                                   11-4
157         Antwon Pugh (MUC) over Thomas Grippi (JWU) Decision 11-6                                            11-7
165         Michael McIntire (MUC) over Adrian Gonzalez (JWU) Fall 2:37                                            11-13
174         Michael Gargano (JWU) over Conner Homan (MUC) Decision 6-4                                        14-13
184         #2 Jairod James (MUC) over Ryan DeVivo (JWU) Tech Fall 18-3                                          14-18
197         #3 Khamri Thomas (JWU) over Tyler Stepic (MUC) Decision 5-0                                         17-18
285         #5 Michael DiNardo (JWU) over Landon Talbert (MUC) Major Decision 9-1                           21-18
               Team Point                                                                                                                    21-19