DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – In their final dual of the 2014-15 season, the Loras Wrestling team hosted top-ranked Wartburg College on Friday night in the Athletic and Wellness Center. The Duhawks recorded victories at 141 and 157, dropping the dual 33-6.
Wartburg pitched shutouts at 125 and 133 as freshmen
Dayton Olson and
Michael Triplett lost by a decision and major decision to give the Knights a 7-0 lead heading into the third bout of the night.
At 141#, Kaz Onoo kept Steger in check for most of the second period, racking up the potential for riding time before surrendering an escape. Tied at one point a piece with the riding time advantage, Onoo chose down to start the third period and earned an escape on Steger to take the 2-1 advantage. Refusing to end his regular season with anything short of a loss, Steger scored a takedown in the third and erased Onoo's riding time advantage to earn the 3-1 decision.
Sophomore
Evan Weaver took the mat in the 149# bout against second-ranked Kenneth Martin and despite a first period takedown, had the match in control. Good defense from Martin prevented Weaver from leveling. As the clock ticked down, Weaver repeatedly shot in for a takedown but was unable to secure the two points, falling 3-2.
In the bout of the night at 157#, fifth-ranked senior
Steven DeWitt faced sixth-ranked Drew Wagenhoffer. For DeWitt, it was his first major test in weeks, but showed no signs of weakness except for a first period takedown that Wagenhoffer scored, which DeWitt countered with a reversal. An escape by Wagenhoffer ended the first period with him in the lead 3-2.
Choosing bottom to start the second period, DeWitt pulled off another reversal and scored a two-point near-fall to take the 6-3 lead heading to the third period. In the third, Wagenhoffer could only manage two escapes while DeWitt scored his customary takedown to earn the 8-5 decision and finish his regular season at 29-2.
The final five matches all went in favor of Wartburg, who claimed their 23rd consecutive Iowa Conference Championship and recorded their 181st consecutive Iowa Conference dual victory.
Loras now turns their attention to the NCAA Regionals on February 28. Steger and DeWitt will be heavily favored in their respective brackets and are expected to earn top-seeds.
