Kinkaid takes third at D-III nationals

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Eric Kinkaid took a step up in his junior season at Loras College, but he says it's not enough.

Kinkaid, a former state champion for Camanche High School, placed third at 157 pounds Saturday at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. He won two of his three matches Saturday to finish the season with a 27-4 record, capping it with a 4-3 win against Aiden Smith of Adrian (Michigan) in the third-place match. "I'm not necessarily mad with my performance at this tournament, but I'm not satisfied, that's for sure," said Kinkaid, who placed fourth at 149 a year ago.



" Kinkaid dropped into the consolations after a tough, 1-0 semifinals loss to Baldwin Wallace's Michael Patrella, who was competing for his third national title Saturday night. The lone point came on an escape nine seconds into the third period. "I couldn't find an opening," Kinkaid said.

"That's how it is with those guys that are undefeated for a couple of years and won a national title or two. I want to be one of those guys, so I've got to be like him." Kinkaid rebounded with a 4-3 win over Peter Kane of Williams (Massachusetts), a national runner-up last year, before beating Smith by the same score.

Kinkaid scored all his points in the third period on an escape and then a takedown. "I knew he was another guy I could wear down," Kinkaid said. "That's a tool that I use in about every match, and it worked out again.

" Even though third place was one better than last year, one more step next year won't be good enough for him. "I don't want to get to the finals," Kinkaid said, "I want to win the finals That's been the goal; that's going to stay the goal." Get local news delivered to your inbox!.