ITHACA, NY -- Senior Mike McInally (Bergen, NY/Byron-Bergen) advanced to his fourth NCAA Tournament, as the RIT wrestling team finished eighth out of nine teams in the Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference Championships hosted by Ithaca College on Saturday. Ithaca was the top scoring team, defeating SUNY Cortland by 18 points. SUNY Brockport and Messiah tied for third with 90 points.

The individual champions in 10 weight classes, plus five "wild card" entries, automatically qualified for the 37th Division III NCAA Championships, which will take place on March 11-12 in La Crosse, WI.

McInally was RIT's top finisher, placing second at 133 lb, earning the wild card berth. McInally defeated Terrell Nixon of Lycoming via fall in 4:25. McInally then fought to a 7-2 decision over Omar Santiago of SUNY Oswego. In the final bout, fell to the meet's Most Outstanding Wrestler, Seth Ecker of Ithaca in overtime by a 5-3 decision. McInally rebounded to pin Brian Bistis in the true second place match in 1:42.

McInally is now 34-3 this season, and 137-19 in his career at RIT. Two of his losses this season have come to Ecker.

Team Scores:
1. Ithaca, 153
2. Cortland, 135
T3. Brockport & Messiah, 90
5. Lycoming, 75
6. Oneonta, 65
7. Oswego, 45.5
8. RIT, 35.5
9. Morrisville, 2.5