PELLA, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras wrestling team fell to Central in their first Iowa Conference dual of the year, 31-8. Earning wins for the Duhawks was junior Evan Weaver and sophomore Jimmy Davis.

TURNING POINT
After Jimmy Davis won by tech fall at 157#, Loras (0-8, 0-1 IIAC) had momentum on their side and trailed by seven, but a string of five consecutive wins by Central (5-1, 1-1 IIAC) sank any Duhawk hopes of a comeback.

BOUT HIGHLIGHTS
141#
Right out of the gates, junior Evan Weaver reeled off five takedowns and a two-point near fall in the first period to take a commanding 12-4 lead. Nearly every shot that Weaver took was successful against Central's Jahleel Vester. Weaver, who has been working with former Loras standout Steven DeWitt, took a page out of the All-American's book and was on the hunt for bonus points for his team.

Vester chose down to start the second period and opened with a reversal to cut into Weaver's lead. Later in the second, Vester took a low shot but was fended off thanks to a good scramble by Weaver.

With Weaver choosing down to start the third, Vester made it a point to ride the Normal, Ill. native tough, resulting in a riding time point, but in the end it was Weaver who walked off the mat with the 13-7 win. The victory was Weaver's second against Vester this season after defeating him at the Super 8 Invitational, hosted by UW-Platteville.

157#
Originally slated to wrestle Central's Mike O'Connor, sophomore Jimmy Davis faced off against Jordan Challen after O'Connor was scratched due to illness. No matter, Davis made it a point to power his way through Challen, recording three takedowns and three near-falls to race out to a 12-0 lead after three minutes.

In the middle frame, Challen attempted to cut into the deficit, but a missed shot resulted in another takedown for Davis to make it 14-0. Davis closed out the bout, earning five points for his team with his fifth takedown of the night to win 17-0 with the one point bonus for riding time.

197#
In the showcase bout of the night, senior Malcolm Watson toed the line against returning All-American and third-ranked Matt Seabold of Central. A quiet first period ended with fireworks as Watson attempted a shot in short time but in one fell swoop, Seabold countered with a takedown of his own. Watson managed an escape just before the end of the period to make it 2-1 in favor of Seabold heading to the second.

Seabold chose down to start the period and right at the sound of the whistle exploded from bottom to score a reversal and take a 4-1 lead. Watson eventually secured the escape and fired off a double leg later in the period, but could not capitalize, settling for a 4-2 deficit heading to the third.

An escape from Watson to start the third cut the deficit to one, but Seabold had the riding time advantage in tact, which forced Watson to go on the offensive. With time winding down, Watson shot for a double, but a good defensive front from Seabold allowed him to counter Watson's attack with a takedown of his own to secure the 7-3 win.

UP NEXT
Loras will send a contingent to the Matmen Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 16, hosted by Cornell College. The Duhawks will next compete as a team at the Iowa Conference Duals on Jan. 23 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. There, Loras will square off against Coe, Luther and Simpson.