Timok, Petty headed to national wrestling meet
Central Dutch Athletics
DUBUQUE—Cam Timok (senior, Glen Allen, Va., Hermitage HS) and Chase Petty (Pella) will represent the Central College wrestling team at the NCAA Division III Championships on March 8-9 after finishing in the top three individually at the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional on Sunday
Central tallied 119.5 team points to finish third in the 17-team field. It’s the second time in three years the program has claimed a top-three spot at the regionals following a third-place effort in 2017.
“It’s a credit to everyone on the team,” coach Eric Van Kley said. “Everyone dug deep and found a level of toughness that we needed. I’m unbelievable proud of the Central wrestling family.”
Timok went 2-0 Sunday, claiming both of his matches at 125 pounds with one-point decisions. He beat Wartburg’s Brady Kyner 10-9 in the semifinals before beating Erron Haynes of Nebraska Wesleyan University 6-5 in the final.
“It’s such a rewarding story for him after all he’s been through after his injury last year,” Van Kley said. “He’s put in a tremendous amount of work to qualify for nationals in his home state and it’s going to be a special trip for him.”
Punching his ticket the hard way, Petty rebounded from a loss in the 133-pound semifinals with two consolation bracket victories. A 7-3 decision over Tyler Difiiore of Luther College preceded a 12-9 defeat of Dalton Landreth of Westminster College (Mo.) in the third-place match.
“The biggest thing that needs to be to be understood is the commitment he made six months ago,” Van Kley said. “He transformed his body and in the process transformed his mind. He literally lost 35 pounds and totally did it the right way. He had his eye on making it a special senior season at 133 pounds and I cannot give him enough credit.”
Nathan Fritz (junior, 174 pounds, Sigourney) and Daniel Radcliffe (junior, Lockport, Ill., Lockport Township HS) both were a match away from joining Timok and Petty but were defeated in the third-place match
“They left it all out on the mat,” Van Kley said. “Just to get to that point is an amazing feat and I’m extremely proud of them.”
Jeremy Vester (senior, Oak Harbor, Wash.) was unable to get a second bid to the national meet after qualifying as a junior in 2018. He capped his career with a fifth-place finish.
“He’s been a tremendous leader,” Van Kley said. “He’s an unbelievable teammate and leader that will leave a legacy at Central College. It’s been a pleasure and privilege to have him in the program.”
Additionally Central had three underclassmen bag top-eight finishes, including freshman Rob Areyano (Selma, Calif) taking fifth at 149 pounds. Sophomores Griffen McBride (184 pounds, Pleasantville) and Gavin Babcock (Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) both placed seventh.
The NCAA Division III Championships are scheduled for March 8-9 in Salem, Virginia.
