Central powers past Nebraska Wesleyan in men’s wrestling win
PELLA – A last-second win by a returning national qualifier was the spark the Central College men’s wrestling team needed in a 36-6 win over Nebraska Wesleyan University Wednesday night.
Central (1-1, 1-1 American Rivers Conference) got its first dual win of the season against Nebraska Wesleyan (0-3, 0-2 conference) and the first for Coach Landon Williams leading the program.
Late in the third period of his 141-pound match, Pierre Baldwin (junior, Carol Stream, Ill., West Chicago HS) was hit with a stall warning to fall behind 3-1 with 19 seconds remaining. Thirteen seconds later, Baldwin got the only takedown of the match and added a riding time point for the victory.
“You don’t want to be in that situation, but he showed that can dig deep and find a way,” Williams said. “Those type of situations are going to happen at the regional tournament or national tournament, so I’m proud of him for doing it with his back against the wall.”
Baldwin’s win sparked the Dutch lineup seven straight bonus-point victories. Cael Cox (senior, Ankeny) and Carter Martinson (sophomore, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) had consecutive wins by technical fall at 149 and 157 pounds. Carson Martinson (sophomore, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) followed his brother with a 12-3 major decision at 165 pounds.
“That’s what we want to put out there from a standpoint of scoring points,” Williams said. “Even when we had wins secured, we were still going out there and scoring points.”
Jason Hermann (senior, Stockton, Ill.) had a 19-3 technical fall at 174 pounds and Sam West (junior, Burlington, Notre Dame HS) kept his match to just one period with a fall at 2:11. Austin Roos made it four technical falls on the night with his 19-3 at 197 pounds.
“Those three kept scoring the whole time” Williams said. “They found different ways in all positions to score. Sam really committed to his top game, which is something we’re really focusing on, to find that pin.”
In the finale bout of the match at 285 pounds, Hayden Hearne (junior, Urbandale) recorded a 14-4 major decision. David Vukobratovich (junior, Homer Glen, Ill., Lockport Township HS) started the match with a 12-9 win in sudden victory at 125 pounds.
The Dutch are back on the mats after Thanksgiving with a December 5 dual against Augustana College (Ill.) in Indianola.
“We’ll practice a few more days and then give them a break to have a mental reset and spend time with family,” Williams said. “We’ve got some motivated guys in our program, so they’ll be working and come back ready to go for the next wave of competition.”
