Central scores dominant win over Simpson in men’s wrestling dual
PELLA – Seniors spark a blowout 44-0 victory for Central College men’s wrestling team in American Rivers finale Thursday night.
The Dutch (10-4 overall, 6-2 American Rivers Conference) took advantage of forfeits at the first two weights by the Storm (1-11, 1-7 conference) to start with a 12-0 lead.
Central rattled off three consecutive technical falls to start the competitive matches. Pierre Baldwin (junior, Carol Stream, Ill., West Chicago HS) was a 22-4 winner at 141 pounds, Cade Siebrecht (sophomore, Lisbon) was a 17-1 winner at 149 pounds and Carter Martinson (sophomore, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) won 20-3 at 157 pounds.
“Our goal was to get our offense going right away and get to our turns on top,” coach Landon Williams said. “And if we weren’t able to get our opponents on their backs, we got back right up to score on our feet.”
Senior Jason Hermann (Stockton, Ill.) brought the gym to its feet with his second period fall at 174 pounds. Fellow senior Austin Roos (Atkins, Benton HS) had a thrilling 4-2 decision at 197 pounds in his final home dual.
“Jason found a way to get his opponent on his back,” Williams said. “It was a great way to end his home career.
“Roos had another hard-fought battle. He’s a fighter and as the match goes on, we know he’s going to keep scoring points and get into positions to score.”
Other wins for Central belonged to Sam West (junior, Burlington, Notre Dame HS) with 22-5 technical fall at 184 pounds, Carson Martinson (sophomore, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) in a 14-8 decision at 165 pounds and Hayden Hearne (junior, Urbandale) in a 6-2 decision at 285 pounds.
Central has won 17 consecutive duals between the two schools but it’s the first time the Dutch have blanked the Storm since 2019. Thursday’s victory almost marked the first time Central had six wins in the American Rivers Conference since 2017.
“It’s obviously good to end with a win,” Williams said. “We’re battle tested because this is the toughest conference in the country.”
The last home event for the Dutch is Friday night with the Last Chance Invitational starting at 5 p.m. inside H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse
