DECORAH - Fueled by its big three of Jacob Naig, Aaron Wernimont and Romeo Djoumessi, the Wartburg College wrestling team captured its 17th consecutive Iowa Conference tournament championship Tuesday night at Luther College.

Naig (149 pounds), Wernimont (157) and Djoumessi (184) each won their third conference titles, and did so in dominating fashion.

Naig recorded two falls in his three matches, while Wernimont had two pins and a major decision over Loras' Erik Hanson in the finals, 16-5. Djoumessi, a senior from Waverly, collected falls in each of his three victories.

"Those guys, they're kind of the core of our program," said Wartburg head coach Jim Miller, who was named the league's coach of the year for the ninth time.

"They want to go out in a big way. I thought they did a great job. They've been great leaders for us all year, and they're a big part of our success.

"They wanted to do their part to keep that streak going."

Wernimont, 40-0 on the year and riding a 76-match winning streak, was named the meet's outstanding wrestler.

Zach McKray (141) and John Helgerson (285) also won titles for the Knights, who finished with 187 points - 49 more than second-place Luther. Coe was third with 137 points.

Wartburg had eight of its 10 wrestlers reach the finals, while Grant Jenkins (174) and Nick Shandri (197) each finished fourth.

The Knights won 25 of their 32 matches, with 10 pins and four major decisions.

"It was a pretty dominating performance," said Miller, whose program netted its 27th IIAC title.

"That's what we were looking for. During this time of year, you need to have that happen to win conference championships and have a shot at nationals."

The top three wrestlers in each weight class and three at-large selections, chosen by the coaches, advance to the national meet March 6-7 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids.

Wartburg, ranked second nationally, will send nine to the Division III championships as Shandri earned one of the at-large spots. Jenkins, seeded second at 174, was denied after giving up a takedown in the final seconds of his semifinal match to Cornell's Kyle Kehrli. He then lost to Coe's Bryon Grothus for third.

"It hurts not to get 10," Miller said. "Grant Jenkins worked his butt off all year. It hurts to leave somebody home, but that's the reality of it.

"Nine is still a pretty good number. We'll go with that and feel good about it."

Luther crowned one champion in 197-pounder Alec Bonander, who knocked off Dubuque's Matthew Wonderlin in the finals, 5-0.

The Norse had six other wrestlers qualify for the national tournament in Jayson Swanson (3rd at 125), Zach Bartlett (3rd at 133), Jason Pyle (2nd at 149), Johanson Quist (3rd at 157), Nic Barclay (2nd at 184) and Allyn Plattner (2nd at 285).

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Wartburg 187; 2. Luther 138; 3. Coe 137; 4. Cornell 123; 5. Dubuque 99; 6. Loras 94 1/2; 7. Buena Vista 59; 8. Simpson 53 1/2; 9. Central 30.

CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

125 - Clayton Rush (Coe) dec. Mark Kist (Wart.) 5-4; 133 - Brandon Ball (Coe) dec. Matt Kelly (Wart.) 4-0; 141 - Zach McKray (Wart.) pinned Jordan Loy (Loras) 3:53; 149 - Jacob Naig (Wart.) dec. Jason Pyle (Luth.) 5-2; 157 - Aaron Wernimont (Wart.) major dec. Erik Hanson (Loras) 16-5; 165 - Josh Terrell (Dub.) won by default over Justin Hanson (Wart.); 174 - Kyle Kehrli (Corn.) dec. Evan Brown (Dub.) 4-1; 184 - Romeo Djoumessi (Wart.) pinned Nic Barclay (Luth.) 5:49; 197 - Alec Bonander (Luth.) dec. Matthew Wonderlin (Dub.) 5-0; 285 - John Helgerson (Wart.) dec. Allyn Plattner (Luth.) 5-4.

THIRD-PLACE MATCHES

125 - Jayson Swanson (Luth.) pinned Tom Drosopoulos (Loras) 1:42; 133 - Zac Bartlett (Luth.) dec. Nichalos Northern (Corn.) 2-1; 141 - Kevin Donahue (Corn.) major dec. Kevin Bokoski (Luth.) 15-7; 149 - Ryan Mulnix (Corn.) dec. Mark Carey (Coe) 3-2; 157 - Johanson Quist (Luth.) dec. Aron Kindelsperger (Corn.) 10-5; 165 - Tyler Burkle (Coe) dec. David Paramski (Corn.) 5-2; 174 - Bryon Grothus (Coe) dec. Grant Jenkins (Wart.) 6-2; 184 - Seth Rehn (Coe) dec. Brian Stueve (BV) 3-2; 197 - Rob Kramer (Coe) pinned Nick Shandri (Wart.) 3:39; 285 - Trevor Kaufman (Loras) dec. Mitch Sander (Coe) 9-6.