SANDUSKY, Ohio (Dec. 17, 2022) – No. 14 Loras College wrestling secured four varsity dual wins on Saturday at the Kalahari Duals as the Duhawks cruised to three easy wins after claiming a come-from-behind victory in their opener.

The Duhawks (6-1) got off to a slow start before finding their groove and securing a dramatic 28-19 victory over Concordia College (Minn.). After that early scare in the opener, Loras cruised to a 54-0 win over Adrian College, a 44-6 win over Heidelberg University, and a 42-9 win over Otterbein University.

In the opener, senior Jared Hensley earned the win via forfeit to start the dual, but the Cobbers claimed each of the next three bouts, including one by major decision and one by fall, to lead the Duhawks 13-6.

Loras managed to rally as senior Zeke Smith righted the ship with an 11-2 major decision in the 157-lb bout, leading to a 14-3 major decision for senior Gabe Fiser at 165-lbs. Those two bouts quickly put Loras back in front at 14-13 ahead of a 7-6 decision for senior Tad Griffith and a fall for senior Shane Liegel to boost the lead to 23-13.

A victory by fall at 197-lbs for Concordia set up an important heavyweight bout, but senior Wyatt Wriedt secured a first-round fall to hold off the Cobbers and get the day started with a victory for the Duhawks.

That momentum carried into dual No. 2 for Loras as the Duhawks swept past Adrian with a 54-0 victory. Nine of the 10 bouts were decided by a major decision or better for the Duhawks.

Loras dominated the hosting Heidelberg Student Princes in their next bout 44-6, with the only Heidelberg win coming due to an injury stoppage. The Duhawks again racked up the points as Kolten Crawford, Eric Kinkaid, Liegel and Wriedt earned wins via fall while Mason McMillen claimed a 15-0 tech fall.

Daniel Meeker, Dustin Bohren, and Abe Michel each secured major decision wins in the match after Nosa Egbon started the match with a 9-4 decision.

Loras finished its impressive showing with a 42-9 win over Otterbein after Hensley, Aiden Evans, and Kinkaid led off the match with three straight falls to set the tone.

In varsity action on Saturday, Liegel led the Duhawks and stayed unbeaten with a 4-0 overall record as he won three bouts at his usual 184-lb weight class and one at 197-lbs. Kinkaid went 3-0 on the day across two weight classes while Griffith and Wriedt went 3-0 in varsity action. Wriedt won all three of his bouts by fall.

Loras travels to another dual meet to start the new year as it takes on the NWCA National Duals on Friday, Jan. 6 in Louisville, Ky.