Dutch power past Prairie Wolves in conference wrestling opener

LINCOLN, NEB. — Winning half of the matches with bonus points, the Central College men’s wrestling team started its dual season with a 34-6 road win at Nebraska Wesleyan University Wednesday.

The Dutch added six points twice with wins by fall at 141 pounds from Pierre Baldwin (sophomore, Carol Stream, Ill., West Chicago HS) and at 184 pounds from Landon Kirby (junior, Grinnell). Baldwin was in control the whole way, but Kirby mounted a rally to get the win.

“We let Landon know this morning he was wrestling,” coach Eric Van Kley said. “It was a back-and-forth and he was able to lock it up for a pin early in the third period.”

            Gage Linahon (senior, Newton) put together a 19-4 second-period technical fall at 197 pounds.

            “When you’ve got seniors like Gage, you need them step up,” Van Kle said. “He did a great job of getting the bonus points tonight.”

            Brock Beck (senior, 133 pounds, Grinnell) and Colby Tool (junior, Reasnor, PCM HS) both won by major decision, 12-4 and 11-2, respectively.

            David Vukobratovich (sophomore, 125 pounds, Homer Glen, Ill., Lockport Township HS), Duncan Delzell (senior, 149 pounds, Burlington) and Jason Hermann (junior, 165 pounds, Stockton, Ill.) also won decisions for the Dutch as Central was victorious in eight of 10 matches.

“I thought we battled,” Van Kley said. “For the first dual of the year and to be on the road, we did a lot of positive things. We were offensive and on the attack in most of the matches.”

            Central travels to Decatur, Illinois for the Millikin Open Saturday. The action starts at 9 a.m.