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    Rush wins second straight national title at 125

    LA CROSSE, Wis. - Senior Clayton Rush (Aledo, Ill./Aledo) capped one of the best wrestling careers in school history Saturday night with his second-straight NCAA Wrestling National Championship at 125 pounds.

    Rush, wrestling in his third national final for his career, got down early, as Wisconsin-La Crosse's Lloyd McKinney put Rush on his back just seconds into the match. It was an instant flashback to Rush's freshman season, where he earned back points against Augsburg's Seth Flodeen before being turned quickly in the loss. This time, it was Rush that got a quick reversal to get back on top.

    McKinney took a 3-2 lead on the optional start, but Rush quickly took him down to take a 4-3 lead. Once again, Rush let McKinney out to tie the match at four before getting in on a single-leg takedown, taking a 6-4 lead. Rush led 8-6 at the end of the first period, as he fought off a shot attempt by McKinney late in the period.

    Rush owned 1:03 of riding time before McKinney escaped to start the second period. Starting the third period, Rush choose neutral, still having the point for riding time. A takedown by Rush, along with an escape by McKinney left the match at 10-8 before the point for riding time.

    "It means everything. This is why I'm here," Rush said. "The first one (National Championship) was sweeter, but this one is bittersweet. It's the last time I'll ever step foot on that stage as a wrestler."

    A four-time All-American, three-time finalist and two-time National Champion, Rush finished the season 35-1, while ending his career with a 129-11 record. He didn't lose a match to a Division III wrestler in the final two years of his career.

    Coe's other finalist, junior Nick LeClere (Coggon, Iowa/North-Linn) dropped a tough 6-5 decision to top-seeded Josh Terrell of Dubuque. Terrell scored early in the first period on a takedown, while mounting over a minute of riding time. LeClere earned the escape, making it 2-1, but Terrell already had 1:36 of riding time at that point.

    Just :09 into the second period, Terrell escaped from the bottom, taking a 3-1 lead. Terrell earned another takedown, but LeClere escaped, as Terrell led 5-2. At the end of the second period, LeClere got in on a takedown, leaving Terrell with a 5-4 lead at the end of the second period.

    With 1:17 left in the match, LeClere escaped, tying the match at five. LeClere wasn't able to get in on a takedown, as Terrell was warned for stalling with :11 to wrestle, but couldn't get the needed point. Terrell won on riding time 6-5.

    As a team, the Kohawks finished fifth with 67 points. Wartburg won the team title with 117 points, while Augsburg was second with 88.5. Host Wisconsin-La Crosse was third with 76.5 and Ithaca was fourth at 72.5 points.

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