April 2, 2007

KEARNEY, NE-- Carson-Newman's Mike Rogers finished second at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships at the University of Nebraska-Kearney in his first appearance in the national tournament.

Rogers, an Easton, Pennsylvania, native, reached the finals to face Nebraska-Omaha's Todd Meneely in the 149-lb. national championship. In a hard-fought match, Meneely edged Rogers, 3-2. Both Meneely and Rogers earned All-American honors for their effort. Rogers also won the "Most Pins" award in the national tournament. He pinned two- time All American Willie Hilton of UNC Pembroke in 3:21and, in the second round, he pinned Mark Pfeiffer, another All-American in 2:33. In the third round he pinned #1 ranked Jason Rhoten of Minnesota State-Mankato in 5:26. The Eagles finished 17th as a team with 21 team points to finish in the top 20 nationally in consecutive seasons.

A few Eagle wrestlers were also recognized on the All-Academic team.Nathan Jones made the first team All-Academic squad for the second year and Cody Humphrey earned first team All-Academic honors for the first time. Senior Brad Argabright and junior Jon Trevor were named second team All-Academic team members.

Rogers was one of three Carson-Newman Eagles to compete in the nationals as Kody Pierson competed in the 125-lb. division and Jones ended his successful career as an Eagle wrestler in competing in the 184-lb. division.