Warrior Grapplers Bow to Bulldogs
SEWARD, Neb. (AP) — Midland University opened its men's wrestling season on Wednesday night with a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) dual against (RV) Concordia University inside Friedrich Arena. The Warriors fielded a team with plenty of newcomers, including five freshmen, against a veteran Bulldogs lineup. The young Warriors' squad fell to the Bulldogs, 45-6.
In the first bout of the evening at 125 pounds, Midland's Janson Pilkington, a freshman from Yutan, Nebraska, entered the mat with a GPAC preseason ranking of fifth in the league. However, Concordia's Martim Moniz pinned Pilkington in 2:49, giving the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead.
Midland had two open weight classes, one of which was at 133 pounds. The Bulldogs' Grant Wells received a win by default, extending Concordia's lead to 12-0.
At 141 pounds, Concordia's Creighton Bauman ranked No. 10 in NAIA, faced Midland freshman Trev Arlt. Bauman dominated the match, winning by technical fall, 15-0, at 2:41 to extend the Concordia lead to 17-0.
The third Warrior freshman to compete on Wednesday night was Zion Amerson at 149 pounds. The Honolulu, Hawaii native battled but fell short with a 15-8 decision loss to CU's Tracey Allen.
The Warriors' second open weight class was at 157 pounds. Concordia's Jeaven Scdoris earned a forfeit win, putting the Bulldogs ahead 26-0 midway through the dual.
Trey McDougald made his collegiate debut, facing Concordia's Barret Brandt at 165 pounds. McDougald suffered a loss by fall in 2:02.
Nate McDonald, a Midland freshman at 174 pounds, battled Concordia's Stephen Duffy but couldn't pull off a victory, losing by a 17-5 major decision. After seven bouts, the Bulldogs stretched the lead to 36-0.
Colton Horne, the first Warrior upper-classman to wrestle on the night, battled CU's Hunter Weimer at 184 pounds. He was dealt a major decision loss by a score of 15-4. With two bouts remaining, Concordia led 40-0.
The penultimate bout featured senior Connor Rinn for the Warriors going up against the Bulldogs' Mason Garcia at 197 pounds. The Concordia wrestler earned near-fall points late in the bout, winning by a technical fall of 21-6 at 6:46. Going into the final bout, Concordia led 45-0.
In the final bout of the evening, Omaha native Ryan Kocovsky earned Midland's lone win of the night at 285 pounds. Kocovsky battled Cy Renney, who entered the match as the GPAC preseason ranked No. 6 wrestler in the weight class. In a tight battle early in the third period, Kocovsky overtook his Bulldog opponent and recorded a victory by fall at 6:05. The final score was Concordia 45, Midland 6.
Concordia (1-0, 1-0 GPAC) will return to action on Saturday, November 4 at the Luther Hill Invite, hosted by Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.
Midland (0-1, 0-1 GPAC) will return to the mat on Tuesday, November 7, for an exhibition match at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, Nebraska. In just over a month's time, the Warriors will host Hastings and Doane in a GPAC dual inside the Wikert Event Center. The first matchup is slated for a 5:00 p.m. start in Fremont.