Saint John's sophomore Ben Henle (Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer) defeated two nationally-ranked wrestlers at the Augsburg Open Nov. 23, the Johnnies' season opener.
Henle started the tourney with an upset of the top-ranked wrestler in NCAA Division III, Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Nathaniel Behnke, by an 8-7 score at 141 pounds. He tallied a 9-3 decision over Division II Upper Iowa's Duane Richardson before posting a lopsided 18-8 major decision over sixth-ranked (Division III) Tom Kuehn of Augsburg in the semifinals. Henle, who posted a 12-7 record as a freshman for SJU last season, fell to Upper Iowa's Jordan Roths by a 7-4 decision in the championship match.
The Johnnies return to action with a dual at Division II St. Cloud State at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud.
