Dutch wrestling squad picks up four dual wins in Michigan
ADRIAN, MICH. — The Central College wrestling team grinded out four victories at the Adrian College duals Saturday, including a 21-20 win over No. 12 Alma College (Mich.)
The Dutch (5-0) also defeated Ohio Northern University (22-20), Adrian College {Mich.} (23-16) and the Milwaukee School of Engineering {Wis.} (51-0).
“A day like this on a trip like this is a real gut check,” coach Eric Van Kley said. “I really thought out senior leadership stepped up. Collin Groleau (senior, 165 pounds, Peru, Ill., LaSalle-Peru Township HS) went 4-0. Nathan Fritz (senior, Sigourney, 184 pounds) went 3-0. Duncan Lee (senior, 285 pounds, Newton) went 3-1.
“It was an outstanding effort full of grit and toughness throughout the day.”
In the match against No. 12 Alma, both teams won five bouts apiece and it ended 20-20. Central earned an extra team point and the victory based on the third tie-breaking criteria. The Dutch had 53 team points during the match compared to 51 for the Scots.
“That’s a big win for us,” Van Kley said. “We had three or four guys who rather than give up when they were getting beat really battled and it ended up winning the dual for us. It was as solid of a team effort as I’ve seen while coaching at Central.”
The Ohio Northern match also went down to the wire as Central trailed 20-18 heading into the final bout. Lee grabbed four points in a 13-1 major decision to seal the match. Earlier, Central trailed 17-12 before Fritz needed all of 14 seconds for a pin. He set a record for fastest pin a dual, one second faster than assistant coach Daniel Page’s performance in 2013 against Knox College (Ill.)
“Fritz did his part and then Duncan closed the deal,” Van Kley said. “They’ve done the work to put themselves into those situations. Their preparation gives them a lot of confidence.”
Central opens up the American Rivers Conference season next Thursday night in Cedar Rapids against Coe College at 7 p.m. The Kohawks were tied for 8th in the first National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Rankings of the season.
