FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Sophomore Mason Brainard went 3-0 on the day as the Heidelberg University wrestling team lost three tough matches at the National Duals. Heidelberg dropped a close opening match to The University of Chicago, 23-18, before falling to perennial power Wabash College, 38-11. In the final match of the day, HU lost to New York University, 31-16.

Brainard pinned his opponent in 4:28 at the 125 weight class to give HU a quick 6-0 lead in the Chicago dual. Slade Todd and Hayden Bates also earned wins, with Bates's coming as a pin. The Berg held a 15-3 lead before Chicago won four straight bouts, taking a 20-15 lead. At 197, Tyler Hammack halted the momentum with a slim 2-0 victory, setting up a winner-take-all 285 match. Heidelberg could not complete the comeback, falling just short, 23-18.

Similar to the Chicago dual, Brainard earned a commanding win in his matchup with Wabash. Wabash went on to take six straight weight classes. Pat Brown and Hammack were the only other HU winners in the dual.

Pinning his opponent in 2:44, Brainard one again got HU off on the right foot. The Berg would drop its next six weight classes, before Brown earned a 14-1 major decision victory at 184.