March 18, 2010

DEKALB, Ill. - Junior Bryan Deutsch's (Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City) run in the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships came to an end Thursday evening as the 157-pounder fell to Northern Iowa's Tyson Reiner, 7-4, at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.

"He wrestled tough today," NIU head coach Dave Grant said. "I'm extremely proud of Bryan and what he's done this year. He's a guy that gives 100 percent when he wrestles."

Reiner jumped out to a 4-1 lead on a takedown, a Deutsch escape and another Reiner takedown. Another Deutsch escape cut the deficit to 4-2, but Reiner kept up the pressure, recording another takedown before the end of the first period. With neither wrestler scoring points in the second, Deutsch entered the final period down 6-2.

Reiner opened the third with an escape, scoring his final point of the match, and Deutsch recorded a quick takedown to pull within three points. Unfortunately for Deutsch, that would be his last points of the day.

Deutsch suffered a 16-12 setback to the No. 4 seed Cyler Sanderson of Penn State to open the tournament. He took a 5-2 lead to open the match on a takedown and escape. However Sanderson tied the match at 5-5 on an escape and reversal.

With Deutsch trailing 12-9, he executed an escape and a takedown to tie the match at 12-12. An escape and takedown gave the grappler from Penn State at 15-12 lead. Sanderson earned another point for riding time to score the four-point victory.

"Bryan's match with Sanderson was a high scoring match. It went back and forth," Grant said. "He did an outstanding job, competing to the last 10 seconds."

Deutsch finishes the 2009-10 campaign with a 20-8 overall record and a 4-1 record in MAC play.

-NIU-