Feb. 3, 2023 – Senior night got off to a bit of a rocky start for the seventh-ranked Loras College wrestling team, but that early bump in the road wasn't enough to throw the Duhawks off as they roared back to beat their crosstown rivals from the University of Dubuque 27-15 on Friday night.

The Duhawks (16-3, 7-0 A-R-C) secured their fifth win over a ranked opponent this season by toppling the 20^th-ranked Spartans (5-7, 2-3 A-R-C). The win keeps Loras in a tie atop the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) standings with No. 1 Wartburg College, leaving the two in a winner-take-all scenario when they battle next Friday in Waverly, Iowa.

On this night in the Lillis Athletic and Wellness Center, a solid crowd showcased this unique rivalry well for both sides as the Spartans had the upper hand early on in enemy territory.

Twin brothers Brady and Dylan Koontz started off with a pair of major decision victories for the Spartans. Brady, who ranks fifth at 125-lbs, earned a 15-4 win over Loras' Justin Murray before Dylan, the eighth-ranked wrestler at 133-lbs, controlled the match against 13^th-ranked Mason McMillen of the Duhawks.

That early 8-0 lead for the Spartans loomed large, but the Koontz twins marked the end of the line for any Spartan wrestlers who are ranked inside the top-15 nationally. That meant it was Loras' turn to get their ranked wrestlers some shine.

Freshman Eric Kinkaid got the ball roiling for the Duhawks at 141-lbs as the seventh-ranked grappler waited for his moment in a matchup with Dubuque's Jevontea Yarbrough. Kinkaid trailed for a good portion of the match, but turned a third period escape into a takedown and a near fall to turn the tides and emerge with an 8-3 win.

That win for Kinkaid got things moving for the Duhawks as junior Jalen Schropp took his turn on the mat next. The 13^th-ranked wrestler at 149-lbs blanked his opponent Darian Diaz thanks to a pair of takedowns and a two-point near fall. That dominating bout brought the score to 8-7 in favor of Dubuque ahead of the 157-lb round.

Senior Zeke Smith took the mat for the first time as the No. 1-ranked wrestler on Friday and showcased why as he toyed with Dubuque's Luke Radeke in pursuit of bonus points. All four of Redeke's points came in conceded escapes as Smith hunted for take downs and secured a four-point near fall midway through the final period.

Smith's riding time elevated him to a 19-4 tech fall in full time to ignite the Duhawk crowd and give the team its first lead of the match as they passed the halfway point.

Speaking of igniting the crowd, senior Matt Connolly did just that at 165-lbs as he waited for his moment in the third period and secured the first pin of the match. Connolly led by four late, but wasn't satisfied as he earned bonus points and catapulted the Loras lead to 18-8.

After Reymundo Raiz took the 174-lb match over Loras' Tad Griffith, senior Shane Liegel took the mat for the final time in front of his home crowd and delivered his 26^th win and 16^th fall of the season. Liegel ranks No. 2 at 184-lbs and made easy work of Dubuque's Kurtis Modlin as his reversal to start the second round led to a fall that locked up the dual for the hosting Duhawks.

In finishing out the match, Dubuque's Tyler Thurston won by major decision over Loras' Derek Venteicher at 197-lbs ahead of a stalemate heavyweight battle. Loras senior Wyatt Wriedt and Dubuque's Darryl Aiello finished regulation with just an escape point each, but a narrow 1:10 riding time edge gave Wriedt the victory by decision to close things out for the Duhawks.

Friday night's rivalry extends the Loras streak to seven straight wins against the Spartans. The Duhawks finish the 2022-23 season with a 6-1 home record in dual action that includes a perfect 4-0 performance at the A-R-C Duals on Jan. 21.

The regular season will end next Friday, Feb. 10 in grand fashion as the Duhawks will put their perfect conference record on the line at No. 1 Wartburg College when the two unbeatens battle for the A-R-C Championship. Wartburg has not lost a conference dual since a 19-17 defeat at home to the Duhawks in 2020, when Loras last claimed the conference title.

Friday's dual at Levick Arena in Waverly, Iowa is scheduled for 7 P.M.