The 2013 NCAA Division II Wrestling Super Region 2 tournament was held at Ashland University’s Kates Gymnasium Feb. 23 and 24. In the toughest super region in the country, the Eagles had their work cut out for them.

After the dust settled, four Ashland wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Division II Winter Championships Festival to be held March 8-9 in Birmingham Ala.

After going 11-6 in dual meets this season, head coach Tim Dernlan knows the kind of squad he has and is anxious for its potential to be shown on the national level.

Going into the super regional meet, there were four wrestlers who had seen the national spotlight before: seniors Adli Edwards and Dan Genetin and sophomores Joe Brandt and Bryson Hall.

Freshmen Michael Labry and Max Byrd were both nationally ranked and experiencing the pressure from the tournament.

“They’re both excited about their positions,” Dernlan said going in. “I’m excited about both of them. I think they can shine in this postseason.”

After Saturday’s matches, Labry, Byrd and Brandt advanced to Sunday’s final championship matches and received automatic places at Nationals in Alabama.

“Labry’s semifinal match was the best I’ve ever seen him wrestle,” Dernlan said. “He wrestled so well the guy didn’t know what to do with him.”

Brandt was equally impressive.

“Joe Brandt wrestled a great, great match,” exclaimed Dernlan. “He remained focused, offensive and won the match in the last few seconds. He showed how tough he is.”

Four other wrestlers were able to advance to Sunday and compete in wrestle-offs for spots at Alabama: Edwards, Genetin, Hall, and junior Tyler Houska.

Sunday was a day of work for Genetin. He had made the trip to Nationals three consecutive years and there was no way he was going to go down without a fight.

Genetin defeated Notre Dame’s Jonatan Riviera, 6-2. Riviera is the same wrestler who beat him just a few weeks prior on Senior Night back in Ashland.

“I’m so proud of Danny,” said Dernlan. “To beat a guy who beat him two weeks ago in this same gym and the guy’s second in the country, that’s neat.”

The 15th-ranked Eagles finished third in the 12-team region with 91 points. They head to Alabama ranked No. 11.

Byrd won the regional title at 125-pounds. Labry received runner-up at 133-pounds and Brandt also took second at 197-pounds and is making his second trip to Nationals.

“(Byrd)’s so fun to watch,” said Dernlan. “He can score from any position – bottom, top or on his feet. It’s neat to see how he stayed focused and be rewarded with a first-place trophy.”

In round one at Nationals, Byrd will face Joey Vesta from Newberry, Labry will go against Martin Ramirez of Adams State, Brandt will take on Jayd Docken of Augustana. Genetin will begin his fourth national appearance against Nick Nichols of Seton Hill.