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March 3, 2008
 Eric Pretto Official NCAA Championships Site Pretto Heads To Nationals EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- With his performance this weekend, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville wrestler Eric Pretto (Orland Park) qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships being held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The 157-pounder advances to the championships as a result of the "true fourth" rule. With the rule, if there is a fifth-place wrestler that has not faced the fourth-place wrestler the two will wrestle to determine who will advance to the NCAA Championships. Only the top four wrestlers from the Midwest Regional advance to the NCAA Championships. Pretto placed fifth when he defeated Eddie Stefonek of Wisconsin-Parkside, which set up a meeting between himself and Mike Horton of Indianapolis. In the match, Pretto defeated Horton 6-4. "He lost a match early that he could have won, but he battled back and was able to pick up a big win for himself, our wrestling program, and SIUE. He is on his way to nationals, which is the ultimate goal for our sport," said SIUE Coach Patrick McNamara. All season long Pretto has performed at a high level for the Cougar program, so much so that the rest of the wrestling nation has taken notice. Despite being a freshman, Pretto has been ranked as high as No. 6 this year. -siue cougars- |