DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras College wrestling team battled until the end, but fell in their Iowa Conference opening dual to the Central College Dutch by a score of 26-11. The Duhawks had many opportunities to win the dual, but were unable to get takedowns in the third period and score much needed points in tight matches. Loras was led by their three winners on the night,
Mitchell Johnson at 141#,
Steven DeWitt 157#, and
Greg Vance 165#.
The dual started tonight at 125# with freshman Dayton Olsen falling to two-time national qualifier Daniel Page of Central. Olson battled throughout the entire match and was even able to prevent a major decision with a takedown near the end of the third period.
At 133#, freshman
Michael Triplett went toe-to-toe with AJ Pestano but both wrestlers were tight on defense. After electing to start in the down position, Pestano scored an escape and earned an extra point when Triplett was called for a penalty, giving Pestano a 2-0 lead. A third period takedown by Pestano gave him a 4-1 lead and he held on to earn Central three team points.
The Duhawks got on the board when
Mitchell Johnson made his first career varsity start at 141#. Wrestling in place of junior
Nick Steger, Johnson scrambled his way to a late takedown to come out on top 4-3 over Jordan Richardson. Johnson remained aggressive and use a counter to a Richardson takedown attempt to score the winning takedown.
In another close battle, sophomore
Evan Weaver fell to Ryan Vandall of Central, 3-2. In the third period, Vandall scored the only takedown of the match. An escape by Weaver brought him to within one, but that's as close as he would make it.
Leading 9-3 after four matches, DeWitt toed the line at 157# against Mike O'Connor. In uncharacteristic fashion, DeWitt surrendered an early takedown, but quickly righted the ship with a reversal. Late in the third, leading 16-8, O'Connor scored a reversal, only to have DeWitt pull a reversal. With his eighth major decision this season (21-10), DeWitt breathed life into Loras, scoring four points to make it 9-7 heading into the 165# bout.
"My scrambling ability comes from my teammates knowing me so well," DeWitt said. "We beat each other silly every day so you have to start getting creative, and that's what you saw tonight."
Vance used his low ankle pick to perfection against Dillon Anderson, scoring two takedowns and adding a two-point near fall in the first period. By way of three more takedowns and a point from riding time, Vance earned Loras their second straight major decision, 13-5.
Unfortunately for the Duhawks, the wheels fell off after Vance's performance.
After leading 11-9 after six matches, Central rattled off 17 unanswered points from 174 to 285. Sam Apland scored a 9-1 major decision over senior
Joe Butler at 174#. Freshman
Awais Arain was blanked at 184# by Tyler Lowy 9-0.
Needing a result at 197# to keep their hopes of a victory alive, junior
Malcolm Watson and Matt Seabold battled to a scoreless mark after the first period. An escape by Seabold and the ensuing takedown gave him a 3-1 lead following an escape from Watson.
After Watson scored an escape to start the third period, he was unable to secure a takedown, falling 3-2.
With Central in control 20-11, Loras forfeited at 285#, making the final score 26-11.
The Duhawks are back in action tomorrow night as they head to Storm Lake, Iowa to take on the Buena Vista Beavers.
Buena Vista will bring a 2-6 dual record into Friday night's contest against the Duhawks, as they are under first year head coach Jeff Breese. The Beavers picked up both of their dual wins in Las Vegas at the Desert Duals.
In a dual against Concordia-Moorhead's backup squad, the Beavers cruised to a 30-6 victory. Later in the day, Buena Vista recorded five falls against Pacific University, running away with a 50-6 victory.
The Beavers are led by senior Seth Shatto at 157#, who brings in an 11-7 record into dual, and a perfect 4-0 mark while competing at 157 pounds. The Beaver lineup has it's share of senior leadership, as it will feature four senior starters in Shatto, Steve Gutschenritter (149#), Austin Hayes (174#), and Jared Bronaugh (184#).
Friday's dual will start at 7 p.m. and can be watched via Buena Vista's Stretch Internet portal.
