Two Place in Silver Division at Luther Open

William Penn University Athletics

Decorah–A pair of fifth-place finishes highlighted the William Penn wrestling team’s efforts at the Luther Open Saturday.

The event was so popular that it was split into two divisions–Elite and Silver. While the Statesmen did not experience much success at the Elite level, two grapplers did place as Silver competitors.

In Elite action, 157-pounder Christian Padilla (Sr., Tampa, Fla., Secondary Education) and heavyweight Mark Gadson (Sr., Deerfield Beach, Fla., Physical Education) both pinned one opponent, while Chris Rodriguez (Tampa, Fla., Sociology) also won once at 197 pounds.

On the Silver side, John Altieri (Fr., Warwick, R.I., Sociology) had the best day of anyone in the navy and gold, going 4-2 (two falls, one major decision) to finish fifth at 125 pounds.

Gerardo Suarez (Fr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Industrial Technology) was fifth at heavyweight as well, owning a 3-2 record with one fall.

141-pounder Nathan Caves (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa) had one pin to his credit, and 184-pounder Tyler Foubert (Fr., Gibson, Iowa, Business Management) and 197-pounder Cody Jones (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Biology) also each picked up a victory at the Open.

Next Up: William Penn travels to Minneapolis, Minn. next Saturday to compete in the Augsburg Invitational. Action begins at 9 a.m.