ST. LOUIS - After a pair of close, two-point losses, SIUE's Saul Ervin was eliminated from the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Thursday at the Enterprise Center.

Ervin dropped a 2-0 decision to North Carolina's Zachary Sherman in the opening round of the tournament. He then dropped a 4-2 sudden victory overtime match to No. 7 seed Ian Parker, of Iowa State.

SIUE Head Coach Jeremy Spates said the experience will help Ervin in the long run.

"It's really big," said Spates. "It's really tough when he comes out here and he is the only guy with Justin (Ruffin) getting hurt so that's a tough scenario to be the only wrestler representing your school. He competed hard, and he'll have a couple more shots at it."

Ervin, a redshirt sophomore, finished the season 10-7 overall, leading the team in victories.

"He made some big improvement. He went from being 10-18 last season and not placing at the Mid-American Conference Tournament to changing it up this year and being an NCAA qualifier," added Spates. "He was an overtime loss away from defeating the No. 7 seed so he did a great job with getting better."  

Complete Results
141 - Saul Ervin (10-7)
Champ. Round 1 - Zachary Sherman (North Carolina) won by decision over Saul Ervin (SIUE) (Dec 2-0)
Consolation Round 2 - Ian Parker (Iowa State) won by sudden victory over Saul Ervin (SIUE) (SV-1 Dec 4-2)