The Muhlenberg wrestling team traveled all the way to Maryland to compete in the Centennial Conference Championships two weeks ago. Two Mules won’t even have to go that far to participate in the NCAA Division III National Championships this weekend.

The College of New Jersey in Ewing, N.J., is the host for this year’s national tournament, which will feature 160 wrestlers competing from 59 schools in 10 weight classes. Competition is scheduled it kick off Friday at 11 and will continue with the final eight from each weight class wrestling on Saturday.

After entering the NCAA Championships unseeded each of the past two years, junior Matt Loesch comes in as the third seed. The three-time CC champion at 197 pounds received All-America honors last season after finishing fourth – the best placing ever by a Muhlenberg wrestler.

“It’s a lot more pressure and expectations,” said Loesch of his seeding. “It’s nice to know I won’t have the hardest path, but it doesn’t mean a lot to be seeded. The tournament is pretty much who has a good day since everyone is so close in talent.”

Loesch could see some familiar foes from last year’s NCAAs. For the second year in a row he is on pace to see Jamall Johnson of Delaware Valley, the second seed, in the quarterfinals. Loesch lost that bout, but went on to defeat Jim Swanson of Wisconsin-Lacrosse to reach the consolation final. Swanson is this year’s fourth seed.

“A lot of the guys in my bracket I’ve seen wrestle before,” said Loesch. “So I know what style they use. But of course that means they know my style as well, so it’ll make things harder.”

Loesch enters the competition 16-2 on the season with five pins and five major decisions. He finished the season on an eight-bout winning streak, including three first-period pins and two major decisions. Loesch, who earlier this season was the top-ranked wrestler at 197 pounds, is 71-12 all-time, with 20 pins and 10 major decisions.

Senior Dale Mills earned his second trip to the NCAAs in three years after winning the 157-pound CC championship. He traveled with Loesch to Iowa two years ago after winning the CCs at 149 pounds. Mills’ bracket features two All-Americans, but has just one of the top eight seeds from last year returning.

Mills, the team leader in wins with a record of 26-4, placed first or second in four tournaments this year. He’s won 16 of his last 17 bouts and ranks among Muhlenberg’s all-time leaders in wins (94), pins (27), technical falls (nine) and major decisions (16).

“It’s a lot better for a lot of reasons,” said Mills of wrestling in New Jersey compared to Iowa two years ago. “Staying in the Eastern time zone makes this easier, and I’ve wrestled in New Jersey before. Plus, our parents and a bunch of the guys from the team will be out. It’ll be nice to have a few more fans this time.”

The top eight finishers in each weight class earn All-America honors. Muhlenberg has come back from the NCAAs with All-Americans three of the last five years.

Click here for the official tournament site.