SANDUSKY, Ohio - The Loras College Duhawk men's wrestling team has officially reached the halfway point of their season, wrapping up the first half with the Kalahari Duals on December 16.

In their first dual, Loras looked good early as they defeated Otterbein University 34-9, winning eight out of ten matches. Six of those eight victories ended with bonus points. Jake LaMonto secured a pin in 3:14 at 197 lbs. Carter Anderson (125 lbs) and Zeb Gnida (174 lbs) teched their opponents by a score of 15-0. Nosa Egbon (141 lbs), Eric Kinkaid (149 lbs), and Dustin Bohren (165 lbs) gained the Duhawks four team points with major decision wins. Kolby Heinz (133 lbs) and Chase Fiser (157) won by decision.

Against the 11th-ranked team in the country, Loras dropped a tough dual against Alvernia University 35-8. Jalen Schropp had an exciting match at 141 lbs, exchanging leads and going back and forth with his opponent the whole time. Ultimately, a big seven-point throw on the edge of the mat made the difference as Schropp came out on top with a 13-10 win. Zeb Gnida continued to dominate his opponents, winning by a 20-4 tech fall at 174 lbs.

In the next round, the Duhawks beat Augustana (IL) in a close dual, 24-22. After losing the first two matches, Kolten Crawford got the ball rolling with a pin in 2:11 at 141 lbs. The Vikings picked up a win at 149 lbs, but Loras answered by firing off four straight wins, three by bonus points. Chase Fiser won at 157 lbs with a 12-7 decision before Dustin Bohren pinned his opponent in 2:48 at 165 lbs.

At 174 lbs, Landry Barker secured a 14-4 major decision, followed by another technical fall victory, 16-0, by Zeb Gnida at 184 lbs. Down by six going into the heavyweight match, Augie needed a pin by their heavyweight to tie the dual and send it to criteria. However, LaMonto did his job and held his opponent to only a major decision win, sealing the dual for the Duhawks.

Loras finished the day by falling short to Delaware Valley 42-10. Eric Kinkaid got a pin in 2:28 at 149 lbs. Gnida once again scored bonus points, winning by a 15-3 major decision at 174 lbs, going undefeated in all his matches.

The Duhawks are back on Jan. 5 as they compete at the NWCA Division 3 National Duals in Cedar Falls, IA.