Warriors Grapple at Hastings Open

HASTINGS, Neb. – Midland University opened up the second semester at the Hastings Open on Saturday at the Physical Fitness Facility on the Hastings College Campus. The Warriors send five wrestlers to the mat in the tournament to begin the New Year.

Janson Pilkington represented the Warriors at 125 pounds. Pilkington lost his opening round match by fall to Austin Berry of Mary at 4:32. In the consolation round, Pilkington picked up a win via medical forfeit over Jose Gonzalez of Dickinson State. Pilkington's day ended in consolation round two when he suffered a loss by fall to Logan Schroeder of Northwestern at 0:08.

Zion Amerson wrestled at 149 pounds. After a first-round bye, Amerson lost to Brady Collins of Nebraska-Kearney by fall at 1:07. Amerson received a bye in consolation round two, then dropped a 17-11 decision in consolation round three to Westin Sherlock of Sioux Falls.

Midland had two wrestlers compete at 184 pounds. Connor Rinn received a first-round bye, then recorded an 8-5 sudden victory win over Gavin Gulbranson of Augustana. In the quarterfinals, Rinn lost to Jackson King of Dickinson State by technical fall, 21-5. Rinn earned a pair of victories in the consolation rounds. In round 4, Rinn defeated Dane Donigan of Newman by technical fall, 17-1. In round 5, Rinn defeated his Midland teammate, Nate McDonald, by a major decision, 12-3. Rinn bowed out of the competition in the consolation semifinals by medical forfeit to Garret Moser of Concordia.

Also, at 184 pounds, Nate McDonald received a first-round bye. In round two, McDonald dropped a 4-1 decision to Fabian Lopez of Nebraska-Kearney. McDonald received a bye in the consolation round two. In round three, McDonald defeated Dylan Campbell of Dickinson State, 12-5. In the consolation round four, McDonald picked up a win via medical forfeit over Damen Pape of Northern Colorado. Then, McDonald lost to fellow Warrior, Connor Rinn, 12-3, in round five.

Ryan Kocovsky wrestled for the Warriors at 197 pounds. After receiving a first-round bye, Kocovsky suffered a loss to Samuel Adams of Dickinson State by fall in 3:52. After a consolation round bye, Kocovsky's day ended in a 4-1 loss to Sean Duffy of Concordia.

Midland will return to competition next Friday and Saturday, January 19-20 at the Missouri Valley Invite in Marshall, Missouri. Competition at the Burns Athletic Complex begins at noon on Friday and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.