ST. LOUIS – Mitch Dean earned the best individual finish in program history by finishing in fourth place Saturday at the Division II National Championships at Chaifetz Arena.
 
Dean won his first two matches of the day in the 165-pound weight class. He first earned a win over Hunter Mullin of Western Colorado via a 7-3 decision and followed that up with a victory over Drew Wiechers of Ashland in a 9-8 decision.
 
That advanced Dean to the third-place match against McKendree's Cory Peterson in a rematch of the quarterfinal match Friday. Peterson won the second matchup Saturday in a 5-3 decision.
 
John Carayiannis also wrapped up his first appearance at the National Championships with an eighth-place finish. Carayannis competed in two matches Saturday, falling in a 12-4 major decision to Tyler Warner of West Liberty and faced off against the No. 7 seed in Peter Kuster of Drury in the seventh-place bout.
 
Both Carayiannis and Dean earned All-American status with their efforts as well Friday.  
 
RESULTS
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Consolation Match 1: Tyler Warner (West Liberty) def. John Carayiannis (Belmont Abbey) (MD 12-4)
7th place: (7) Peter Kuster (Drury) def. John Carayiannis (Belmont Abbey) (Fall 2:16)
 
165
Consolation Match 1: Mitch Dean (Belmont Abbey) def. Hunter Mullin (Western Colorado) (Dec 7-3)
Consolation Match 2: Mitch Dean (Belmont Abbey) def. Drew Wiechers (Ashland) (Dec 9-8)
3rd place: Cory Peterson (McKendree) def. Mitch Dean (Belmont Abbey) (Dec 5-3)