Bonds in Finals, Two Freshmen Place at Grand View

William Penn University Athletics

Des Moines–Headlined by its two-time All-American reaching the finals, the Statesmen wrestling team produced several winners at the season-opening Grand View Open Saturday.

The event included two divisions–Open and Freshman–allowing for the top grapplers to face off, but yet giving mat experience to collegiate newcomers as well.

In the Open division, 149-pounder Scottie Bonds (Jr., Chicago, Ill., Physical Education) rolled through his first four matches to get to the championship match. The junior started with three falls (two in the first period) and then added a major decision, but opted to forfeit the finals match due to injury.

Johnny Hopper (So., Basehor, Kan., Psychology) was one win shy of joining Bonds as a placer, finishing 2-2 with one fall and one major decision at 174 pounds.

Fellow 174-pounder Michael Corley (Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Sociology) pinned an opponent, while 197-pounder Chris Rodriguez (Fr., Tampa, Fla., Sociology) won once by major decision. Damien McKinzie (So., Tampa, Fla.) had his hand raised one time in victory as well at 165 pounds.

285-pounder Matthew Cuthbert (Fr., Yucaipa, Calif., Sociology) guided the Statesmen freshmen as he took fourth with a 4-2 mark (two falls).

Austinn Goin (Fr., Belton, Mo., Exercise Science) also placed, ending the day in sixth at 157 pounds with a 3-3 record (two falls).

125-pounder Tommy Rios (Fr., Tucson, Ariz., Exercise Science) notched a pair of W’s with one fall and one major decision, while 149-pounder Fabian Rodriguez (Fr., Manassas, Va., Business Management) and heavyweight Gerardo Suarez (Fr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Industrial Technology) were both one-time winners Saturday.

Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa for its home opener Tuesday, hosting Waldorf in dual action at 7 p.m.