INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Isiah Royal (141) was able to capture three wins on day one of the 40^th Annual Midwest Classic to advance to the semifinals of his respective weight class.
 
The Newberry Wolves wrestling team finished day one of the Midwest Classic in 20th place, raking up 26 points on the way out of 39 schools. The Midwest Classic is seeing 16 of the top 25 teams in the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll and 60 of the top 120 wrestlers in each weight class.
 
Royal got off to a quick start, picking up the fall in 3:23 against Ryan Schmalen of No. 5 Upper Iowa. In the second round, Royal came away with a close 4-2 decision, facing Mason Schultz of Minnesota State Moorhead. Royal rounded out his day with a convincing 8-0 major decision off Aiden Burke of No. 21 Mercyhurst.
 
Austin Palmer (157) and Patton Gossett (285) had themselves great days as well, both picking up two wins on the day and moved to the quarterfinal matches.
 
Palmer picked up the fall in his first-round match, needing 6:26 to do so against Josh Cornell of West Liberty then getting the 8-3 decision against Ryan Rochford of Adams State. Going into the quarterfinal match, Palmer would be facing against the sixth ranked wrestler in the 157-weight class in Nick Boggs of Lake Erie. Palmer fell in a 7-5 sudden victory-2 in the highly contested match.
 
Gossett continues to have a strong senior campaign, coming away with two falls in his first two matches. Gossett defeated Dequinnen Nash of fellow South Atlantic Conference Carolinas member Limestone in 1:58. Gossett also defeated Ramon Correa of Coker in 4:52. Gossett fell in the quarterfinal round in a close 8-6 decision as Courvoisier Morrow of No. 10 Lindenwood prevailed.
 
Joey Rocca (174) was able to pick up two wins on the day as well, one in the championship bracket and one in the consolation round. Rocca defeated Dylan Komperda of Drury in a 3-2 decision before falling against Cayden Whitaker of No. 11 Indianapolis in a 14-3 major decision. Rocca then dominated in the first-round of the consolation bracket, getting an 18-3 tech fall against Chance Morgan of West Liberty. Rocca was defeated by fall to Jake Services of Marian in the second-round of the consolation bracket.
 
Austin Neal (125), Nick Giantono (165) and ZeBrandon Gant (184) each picked up a win on the day as well.
 
The Wolves will be back in action tomorrow for day two of the Midwest Classic.