Central sends young wrestlers to Millikin
DECATUR, ILL. — The Central College wrestling team was represented by some of its younger and reserve wrestlers at the Millikin Open on Saturday, earning a handful of top-eight finishes.
There were no team scores kept at this tournament. None of Central’s starters from Thursday’s dual against William Penn University competed.
Freshman Christian Wilson (Houston, Texas, Cypress Ridge HS) made his debut with Central at 165 pounds. He lost his opening match to Millikin’s Bradan Birt, who was the overall champion, before rattling off four straight wins for a third-place finish.
“We had some pleasant surprises from some of our freshman and he led the charge,” coach Eric Van Kley said. “I thought it was an outstanding effort by him.”
Samuel Zook (sophomore, Oak Harbor, Wash.) had a remarkably similar day at 285 pounds. He also lost his first match before lining up four victories in a row. Three of the four were by fall.
“He had his best tournament in a Central singlet,” Van Kley said. “He continues to improve each and every week.”
At 149 pounds, senior Matthew Pool (Tucson, Ariz., Magnet HS) and freshman Ryne Mohrfeld (Lisbon) shared fifth place after both went 2-2 on the day.
“It was fun to see two guys on different ends of the age spectrum,” Van Kley said. “Matthew had some family drive up from Tucson to watch him and I thought he wrestled pretty inspired. I couldn’t be more proud of the work he’s put in on and off the mat.”
Other place winners for the Dutch were Jackson Gissel (junior, Gilbert, Ariz., Williams Field HS) at 165 pounds (6th place), Levi Condy (freshman, Memphis, Tennis, Christian Brothers) at 165 pounds (7th place) and Chase Poston (sophomore, Olympia, Wash.) at 125 pounds (8th place).
Central’s varsity lineup will travel to Adrian, Michigan next Saturday for the Adrian College Duals. Those matches will be against Alma College (Mich.), Milwaukee School of Engineering (Wis.), Ohio Northern University and Adrian.
