Dutch wrestlers done in on the road
Central College
PELLA — Bonus-point victories were the difference for Loras College as they topped the Central College wrestling squad 24-18 Thursday night.
It’s the first defeat of the season for the No. 10 ranked Dutch (5-1, 2-1 Iowa Conference).
Loras (5-6, 1-0 IIAC) won two matches with pins and also had a technical fall victory.
Central got a big victory late from Zach Moss (senior, Winterset) at 174 pounds, who pulled off a full two-minute rideout in the third period to topple Sam Schuler.
“He’s really wrestled well this semester,” coach Eric Van Kley said. “He had to win it the hard way in the third period and he got it done.”
The Dutch rocketed out to an 8-0 lead behind a 19-1 technical fall from C.J. Pestano (junior, Torrance, Calif.) and an 8-3 decision by Cam Timok (sophomore, Glen Allen, Va./Hermitage HS) at 125 and 133 pounds respectively
“We started off pretty hot,” Van Kley said. “We were attacking and had two pretty dominant efforts. C.J. put up some big bonus points and Cam took down a returning national qualifier.”
At 165 pounds, Ryan Vandall (Phoenix, Ariz./Moon Valley HS) also picked up a decision by a 7-2 margin.
Though a disappointing loss, the majority of the season remains in front of the Dutch.
“They wrestled better than us tonight,” Van Kley said. “They picked up some bonus points and we did not. We’re going to work hard and keep improving. I’m still proud of the guys but there are some key things we need to work on moving forward.”
Next up for the Dutch is a trip of dual matches next Saturday at the conference duals hosted by the University of Dubuque. They will face the host Spartans, as well as Buena Vista University and No. 1 Wartburg College.
