Sixth-place national finish for Dutch men’s wrestler Baldwin

PROVIDENCE, R.I.. – Suffering a trio of tough losses at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships, Central College men’s wrestler Pierre Baldwin (junior, 141 pounds, Carol Stream, Ill., West Chicago HS) took sixth in the 141-pound bracket Saturday.

With Saturday’s nights championship bouts remaining, the Dutch are tied for 35th in the team standings with 12 points. Baldwin is the first Dutch wrestler on the All-America podium since Shandon Akeo took third at 125 pounds in 2022.

Baldwin was 2-0 entering Saturday’s semifinal match. He suffered a 6-5 setback to Sean Conway of the University of Chicago (Ill) after Conway recorded 1 minute, 2 seconds of riding time for the decisive point.

“The difference was not being able to score a first period takedown,” coach Landon Williams said. “We had opportunities, but Conway fought them off well.”

In the consolation bracket, Baldwin was pinned by No. 4 Ty Bisek of Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) and finished with 4-2 loss against No. 1 and defending national champion Josh Wilson of Greensboro College (N.C.).

The junior finishes his season 25-4.

“His progression is going where we want it to go,” Williams said. “The outcome didn’t go his way today. He’s gotten better every day this year and he’ll elevate even further this spring and summer with his work ethic.”

Baldwin is one of eight returners from Central’s dual lineup, including six all-region honorees and another national qualifier in 165-pounder Carson Martinson (sophomore, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS).

“I’m excited to see what we can do as a program next year,” Williams said. “This team is going to develop even more and get better.”