Central wrestling team has four ranked in national poll

PELLA — Four members of the Central College wrestling team made it on the individual National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III rankings released Wednesday.

In the first regular season poll, Rob Areyano (fifth year, 149 pounds, Selma, Calif.) is the highest-ranked Dutch wrestler in fourth. Gage Linahon (junior, 197 pounds, Newton) is 10th, Brock Beck (junior, 133 pounds, Grinnell) is 12th and Peyton Hammerich (senior, 184 pounds, Princeton, Ill.) is 14th.

Areyano (4-0) opened his season last Saturday at the Millikin Open, pinning his first three opponents in the first period before winning the title match with a 15-9 decision.

Linahon (4-1) finished third at the Pointer Open on the opening weekend of the season. His only loss came to the No. 2 ranked wrestler in Division III, Beau Yineman of the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.

Beck (6-1) won all three of his matches at the Millikin Open to win the individual crown. He also had a second-place effort at the Pointer Open, losing to the top-ranked wrestler in Division III, Robbie Precin (North Central College [Ill.]) in the final.

Hammerich (4-1) took second place at the Pointer Open, winning twice by fall. He lost the title match to a top-five wrestler in NCAA Division II.

The Dutch have their first dual of the season Thursday at Coe College at 7 p.m.