La CROSSE, WIS. – Cortland senior J.C. Cardenas (Brooklyn/Grand Street Campus) closed out his season by going 1-2 during the first day of competition at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis.
 
Cardenas, unseeded at 125 pounds, opened Friday's action with a 12-7 loss to third-seeded Zac Blasioli of Millikin. He stayed alive with a 6-2 win over Mount Union's Jack Stanley behind the strength of takedowns in the first and second period before being eliminated with a loss by pin in 4:40 to fourth-seeded Jacob Decatur of Baldwin Wallace.
 
Cardenas, making his third straight NCAA tournament appearance, finishes with a 27-7 record for the season and a 75-16 career record. He was Cortland's lone competitor at the national championship.

UPDATE: Cortland tied for 53rd in the final team standings with 0.5 points.