PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brian Petry's valiant bid for a spot on the podium fell one win short Friday at the NCAA Division III Men's Wrestling Championships inside Amica Mutual Pavilion.
 
The unseeded 165-pound Petry won twice on the consolation side before bowing out to Springfield's Jake Deguire by fall in 1:37 in the match that determined top-eight all-American honors.
 
The Cornell sophomore finished 2-2 in his NCAA debut. Both of Petry's losses came against returning all-Americans. Petry closed his fine season at 33-10.
 
Petry had a tough opening draw Friday morning, falling 10-1 to Augsburg's third-seeded Cooper Willis (29-1), who placed fifth each of the past two years.
 
Petry bounced back in the consolation rounds, starting with an 8-2 decision over Gettysburg's Justin Richey. Petry then knocked out Lycoming's Kaiden Wagner with a 10-4 victory, scoring a takedown in each period.
 
In the blood round, Petry was taken down by Deguire in the second minute and got caught on his back for a match-ending pin. Deguire (30-9) placed third at 157 pounds a year ago.  
 
Petry secured his NCAA berth with a third-place showing at the Region VI Championships, as the No. 6 seed. He helped lead coach Brent Hamm's Rams to a 14-5 dual record and No. 13 national dual ranking.