The Lancers doubled their point total from the start of the day and lead Grand Valley State by 5.5 points, 99.5-94. The Lancers have more semifinalists than any other team, taking control of the tournament and closing in on its first NCWA National Championship in their first season in the association.
Jimmy Martinez began the charge with a 5-0 win at 125 pounds, and CBU enjoyed a run of four straight quarterfinal wins from Dylan Cataline (149), Chris Santana (157), Bronson Gerl (165) and Kenneth Tribble (174) to take the lead. Caleb Gerl (197) and heavyweight Alex Evers also picked up wins to punch their way into the quarterfinals.
The Lancers clinched a total of nine NCWA All-Americans with their effort Friday.
"We will have to wrestle very well and get a few in the finals to accomplish our goal of winning the championship," said CBU Head Coach John Petty. "That is what the guys have been training the six months for."
Both California Baptist and Grand Valley State have nine wrestlers alive heading into the final day. Marion Military Institute is well back in third with 70 points, edging Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (69.5) in the final matches of the day. The Apprentice School, the 2009 champion, is fifth with 63.5 points, and defending champion Central Florida is sixth at 62.5.
The NCWA semifinals begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the finals at 4 p.m. back at the University Center.
