Statesmen Triumph Over Ravens for First Heart ‘W’
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Atchison, Kan.–Four bonus-point victories led the William Penn wrestling team to its first Heart of America Athletic Conference dual meet win, defeating Benedictine 29-18 Tuesday.
WPU (2-3, 1-3 Heart) came out on top at six weights–two by forfeit–to enjoy the lengthy road trip back to Oskaloosa.
125-pounder Nadhelo Charles-Pierre (So., Miramar, Fla., Sports Management) opened the night by getting his hand raised to collect the first forfeit. Darquell Pierre (Jr., St. Petersburg, Fla., Sociology) then upped the Statesmen lead to 9-0 by defeating Harsh Anchan by a 10-4 decision at 133 pounds.
Tyshon Cannon (Sr., LaGrange, Ga., Psychology) notched another forfeit at 141 pounds, but BC (2-6, 0-3 Heart) responded with back-to-back wins to make the score 15-9 at the midway point.
Johnny Hopper (Sr., Basehor, Kan., Psychology) put momentum back on the visitor’s side, matching Pierre with his own 10-4 victory, doing so over Jensen McDermott at 165 pounds.
184-pounder Austinn Goin (Sr., Belton, Mo., Exercise Science) and 197-pounder Sheldon Rodriguez (Jr., Tampa, Fla., Biology) finally shut the door on the Ravens with lopsided victories. Goin pinned Tyson Albright in 4:23, while Rodriguez took his victory via technical fall in a time of 5:24.
“Our guys are peaking at the right time,” Head Coach Aron Scott said. “This was the best we have wrestled all year. We wanted it and we went out and battled. Everyone was looking to score points and give their best effort. I am proud of our guys and look forward to seeing them continue to get better.”
Next Up: William Penn will split up its team this weekend. The varsity grapplers will travel to Marshall, Mo. Friday and Saturday to compete in the Missouri Valley Invitational, while the reserve wrestlers will go to Worthington, Minn. Saturday to battle at the Minnesota West CC Open.
125–Nadhelo Charles-Pierre (W) won by forfeit (6-0)
133–Darquell Pierre (W) won by decision over Harsh Anchan, 10-4 (9-0)
141–Tyshon Cannon (W) won by forfeit (15-0)
149–Keenan Graef (B) won by decision over Ben Freese, 6-2 (15-3)
157–Michael Lucas (B) won by fall over Dennis Simmons, 3:54 (15-9)
165–Johnny Hopper (W) won by decision over Jensen McDermott, 10-4 (18-9)
174–Franco Camarco (B) won by forfeit (18-15)
184–Austinn Goin (W) won by fall over Tyson Albright, 4:23 (24-15)
197–Sheldon Rodriguez (W) won by technical fall over Oliver Severance (5:24) (29-15)
285–Ronald Broyles (B) won by decision over Gerardo Suarez, 7-1 (29-18)
