Junior Craig Becker and senior Corey VanGroll are two steps closer to becoming national champions.

The UW-Parkside wrestlers won both of their matches Friday in the opening day of competition in the NCAA Division II Tournament at the University of Houston. A third Parkside wrestler, freshman Malcolm Briggs, is assured of an eight-place finish and All-American status after his performance Friday.

Becker remains unbeaten at 32-0 after a first-round 12-2 victory over Jessie Snider of Colorado Mines and a second-round technical fall in 6:11 (19-2) over Ryan McIntyre of Pittsburgh-Johnstown at 149 pounds.

Becker, the younger brother of Parkside national champion Brad Becker (2006), will take on Christoper Freije (21-4) of Western State (Colorado) in the semifinals today.

VanGroll, who wrestles at 165, opened with a 15-6 decision over Seth Phalen of West Liberty State, then scored an 8-6 decision over Tad Merritt of St. Cloud State University in the second round.

VanGroll (42-6) had lost 7-3 to Merritt earlier this season at the St. Paul Open.

VanGroll will take on top-ranked Josh Shields of Mercyhurst (27-3) in the semifinals today. Shields beat VanGroll in overtime last year in the national quarterfinals.

"I'm very, very happy for our team leaders, that they still have a shot at their ultimate goal, which is to win a national championship," Parkside coach Jim Koch said.

Briggs, who wrestles at 197 pounds, beat Scott Snyder of Kutztown University 6-2, but was pinned by Luke McPeek of New Mexico Highlands in 3:41 in the quarterfinals.

Briggs (30-12) came back and beat Matt Nelson of Minnesota-Moorhead 14-4 in a wrestleback and is assured of placing no lower than eighth. Briggs could come back today and place as high as third. He will wrestle Matt Farrell of Nebraska-Kearney in his first match today.

Parkside's other three entrants were eliminated Friday.

Sophomore Cody Zimmerman (125) went 0-2 and finished 46-8. Freshman Luke Rynish (165) went 1-2 and finished 42-16 and junior Lucas Haag (184) went 1-2 and finished 36-16.

With 27.5 points, Parkside is in ninth place heading into today's final rounds. Nebraska-Omaha leads the team standings with 76.5 and Newbury College is second at 42.5 points.

"We still have the potential to move up a few spots," Koch said.