DETROIT – Wil Gil made his NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship debut on Thursday and was certainly tested right from the opening whistle as he faced opponents from two of the modern-day Blue Bloods in Iowa and North Carolina State. Despite a tremendous battle in both matches, Gil dropped a pair of decisions and was knocked out of the national championship event.

Going up against second-seeded Jaydin Eierman, last year's national runner-up and already a four-time All-American, Gil answered a pair of takedowns from the Hawkeyes with escapes over the first two periods. That left the Diplomat within a single score heading into the final period before Eierman secured three more takedowns with Gil opening up to get to his offensive attacks during an eventual 11-4 final.

Dropping into the wrestlebacks, Gil found himself matched up with Ryan Jack of North Carolina State. The senior once again found himself withing a single score late during that match as he was behind 6-4 heading into the third period. Nonetheless, an escape, takedown, and riding time led to an eventual 10-5 final in favor of Jack.

In addition to becoming an NCAA qualifier for the first time in his career as a senior, Gil will graduate as one of just three Diplomats all-time to reach 100 career victories. Over his four years, Gil racked up 108 wins against just 46 defeats and was a three-time EIWA place winner.