ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- NDC is hard at work this week preparing for their trip to the East National Qualifying Group Tournament on the campus of Lindenwood University.  The Falcons placed fifth in last year's tournament.  Notre Dame enters ranked No. 7 in the NAIA, and No. 4 in the East Region. 

The Falcons will be led this weekend by junior #Adam Koballa#, who enters the tournament ranked No. 1 in the 141-pound weight class nationally and in the East Region.  Koballa placed third in last year's Qualifying Tournament on his way to becoming National Runner-Up.  Koballa comes into the weekend with an overall record of 22-4, including eight falls, three tech falls, and three majors.

The Blue & White will also have two other wrestlers with 20-plus wins competing in Missouri. 

Freshman #Jeffrey Pelton# enters the 149-pound tournament with a record of 24-1.  Pelton has recorded a team-leading nine falls in his debut season with the Falcons.  Pelton is currently on a 12-bout winning streak, his second streak of 12 this season.  Pelton is currently ranked No. 4 nationally, and No. 3 in the East Region.

Sophomore #Thomas Straughn# has compiled a record of 24-3 to date in the 157-pound weight class, including six falls and a team-leading six majors.  Straughn has won eight bouts in a row, his second eight bout streak this season.  Straughn is ranked No. 4 nationally, and No. 2 regionally.

Sophomores #Tyler Savage# and #Kurt Wolff# also enter the tournament ranked.  Savage (18-7) is ranked No. 6 nationally, and No. 2 regionally in the 125-pound weight class, while Wolff (16-8) is ranked No. 3 in the East Region at 174-pounds.  Savage recorded a fourth-place finish last year at the Qualifying Tournament.

Senior #Jason Spencer# also placed in last year's tournament.  Spencer finished in third-place in the 157-pound weight class.  Spencer enters this year's tournament with a record of 10-6.

Also competing this weekend for the Falcons will be:

#Dante Rini# (5-2) – 125-pounds

#Paul Rose# (10-9) – 133-pounds

#Brett Freeman# (3-0) – 149-pounds

#Jared King# (10-1) – 165-pounds

#Alex Denman# (10-14) – 184-pounds

#Don Stocum# (11-7) – 285-pounds

Denman needs a Top-4 finish in this weekend's tournament to qualify for Nationals. 

All of the rest of the above mentioned Falcons will also compete at the NAIA National Championships in Oklahoma City on Mar. 5-7, regardless of their outcomes this weekend.