Contact: Emily Adlfinger, Direct of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

(Written by Simon Schuler, Athletic Communications Student Assistant)

Results vs. Iowa State
Results vs. Nebraska-Kearney
 
AMES, Iowa (Jan. 10, 2021) – After a memorable 2019-20 season that culminated in eight All-American honors, the Loras College wrestling team (0-2) had a number of newcomers make their Loras debut as the Duhawks kicked off the delayed 2021 season against Division I power No. 8 Iowa State and Division II contender No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney.

Beginning the day against Iowa State, the Duhawks brought two lineups that fought and competed in every match against the perennial Division I power. Following a setback at 125 lbs., junior Zach Licht toed the line at 133 lbs and wrestled Iowa State's Zach Redding to the end, nearly knocking off the Cyclone before falling by decision 6-4. At 184 lbs., All-American sophomore and Spring Green, Wis. native Shane Liegel battled back from a four-point deficit against Tate Battani of the Cyclones by scoring a third-period takedown but ultimately fell by a narrow one-point decision. To close out the dual, heavyweight senior Slade Sifuentes gave No. 10 Gannon Gremmel of the Cyclones all he could handle by applying a hard ride and a late third-period takedown but Gremmel ultimately escaped with a decision victory.

The second dual of the day saw the Duhawks go head-to-head with Division II No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney. After a string of competitive bouts to start the dual, the Duhawks got on the board at 174 lbs. thanks to a hard-fought 3-2 decision victory by Jacob Krakow over No. 4 Terrell Garraway of the Lopers. At 184 lbs., Liegel kept the momentum rolling for the Duhawks by recording a decisive 15-0 technical fall victory over Hayden Prince. Trailing by five points late in the third period, heavyweight Sifuentes completed a comeback victory by pinning Lee Harrington with five seconds to spare; however, the rally was not enough as the Lopers came away with a 25-14 dual victory.

Against the Nebraska-Kearney reserves, the B-team for the Duhawks saw a multitude of success. At 133 lbs., junior Zachary Thompson collected a dominant first-period technical fall while Mason McMillen defeated his opponent by major decision at 141 lbs. At 149 lbs., first-year Daniel Meeker needed only 39 seconds to secure the first fall of his young career over Teontae Wilson. Also victorious for Loras were freshman Abe Michel via fall at 174 lbs. and Dakoda Powell by technical fall at heavyweight. 

The Duhawks will undergo a two-week break of competition before beginning American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) action in Cedar Rapids, Iowa against conference foes Central College and Coe College on Saturday, Jan. 23. The first of four conference triangular meets will take place at Kohawk Arena beginning at 11 AM..