CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa— With a a pair of decisive wins on the opening day of NCAA Division III Men's Wrestling Championships, Malik Asfour earned a trip to the National Semifinals and locked up All-America Honors for his outstanding junior season. Asfour makes history as Eastern's first All-America honoree in Men's Wrestling. 

Asfour opened the day with a convincing 9-0 win by major decision over Matthew Barlay from the University of Chicago. Asfour took command early with a takedown and over a minute of riding time early and a nearfall at the first-period buzzer for a 7-0 lead at the end of the first period break. Barlay eroded much of Asfour's riding-time edge with a good start from the top position before Asfour scored a two-point reversal late in the second.

The third round started with the wrestlers in a neutral position and Asfour held on for the shutout win. 

With the top eight wrestlers at every weight class earning All-America Honors, Asfour's test against Nico Rivera from Johnson and Wales had great significance for both athletes. Asfour, a national qualifier last year, made a strong early push. He scored a takedown and an additional point for stalling in the first and built his lead to 12-0 with a brilliant 8-0 second period.

Up 12-0, Asfour had control of the match and Rivera had to start neutral for the third period. That strategy helped him close the gap with an 8-1 burst over a 45-second run, but it would not be enough as Asfour gained a final escape and grabbed a riding time point for the final edge. 

He will face Christian Guzman from North Central College, the top seed, in a semifinal early tomorrow. While the top of the bracket held form, the second semifinal features a seventh seed taking on an 11th seed. 

Today's two wins affirms that Eastern Wrestling, which was supposed to start next year, is ahead of schedule on both the women's side and the men's. The Eagles had two women earn All-America honors last weekend.