CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - In its first year of postseason eligibility, the University of Northern Colorado wrestling program wasted no time in making a splash. Three wrestlers won their respective classes in the NCAA West Regional on Saturday, locking up automatic bids for the 2007 NCAA Championships.

Thornton's Kenny Hashimoto as well as Shawn Vincent and Reece Hopkin swept their respective divisions at the McLeod Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus, and each will now represent Northern Colorado at the NCAA Championships, which start March 15 in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Hashimoto, ranked 13th nationally and owner of the No. 1 seed in the 141 weight class on Saturday, earned a pair of pins in his three matches, winning easily.

In his first match, Hashimoto pinned Wyoming's Garret Desmond in 5:30. He followed that with a 5-2 decision over Air Force's Jacob Kriegbaum in the semi-finals. Hashimoto earned his berth in the national tournament with his second fall of the day, taking down No. 2 seed C.J. Ettelson of Northern Iowa in 6:30.

Vincent became the only wrestler not seeded No. 1 to win his division, taking the 184 crown with an 11-3 decision over top-seeded Greg Prez of Eastern Illinois. Prior to that, Vincent opened his afternoon with a pin of South Dakota State's Levi Krehmeyer in 3:44 and followed with a 3-2 decision over Air Force's Jacob Devlin in his semi-final.

Hopkin opened his run in the heavyweight class with a 16-3 major decision over Wyoming's Jason Still. That win was followed by his 6-2 decision over Northern Iowa's Tyler Rhoads. In the final, he defeated South Dakota State's Jason Stripling, 9-6.

As a team, the Bears finished second in the seven-team event. They also got third-place finishes from Tony Mustari (125), Thornton's Luke Salazar (157) and Devan Lewis (165).