Statesmen Fall Short Against Graceland
Graceland won 32-21 over William Penn this week in a dual home meet. (photo by Denis Currier)
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The William Penn wrestling team battled hard as an under-manned crew, but was not able to knock off Graceland in a 32-21 loss in Heart of America Athletic Conference dual meet action Tuesday.
WPU (1-3, 0-3 Heart), which forfeited at 165 and 285 pounds, claimed victory in four matches, beginning with Nadhelo Charles-Pierre (So., Miramar, Fla., Sports Management) enjoying a takedown clinic (10 in all) against Carter Wilken for a 27-10 technical fall at 125 pounds.
Darquell Pierre (Jr., St. Petersburg, Fla., Sociology) then earned a free pass at 133 pounds, taking victory by forfeit to extend the home squad’s lead to 11-0.
Unfortunately, GU (5-1, 2-1 Heart) answered with five wins in a row to pull ahead by a commanding 26-11 advantage.
184-pounder Austinn Goin (Sr., Belton, Mo., Exercise Science) finally righted the ship with a fall over Jonathon Juarez in 5:43. Sheldon Rodriguez (Jr., Tampa, Fla., Biology) then notched a 12-4 major decision triumph over Justin Outerbridge at 197 pounds to narrow the deficit to 26-21.
As aforementioned, though, the Statesmen forfeited at heavyweight to lock up the meet win for the visitors.
“I am proud of the effort our guys gave tonight,” Head Coach Aron Scott said. “They are continuing to improve each time they go out. What is not always visible when you compete is effort in training as well as the mindset changes made and the culture changes. Our guys have made some significant strides in all those areas. We will continue the path we are on and get our wrestlers to peak mentally and physically the next time they compete.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Atchison, Kan. next Tuesday to face Benedictine in Heart dual meet action at 7 p.m.
125–Nadhelo Charles-Pierre (W) won by technical fall over Carter Wilken, 27-10 (5-0)
133–Darquell Pierre (W) won by forfeit (11-0)
141–Kahlyn Bressler (G) won by decision over Tyshon Cannon, 7-3 (11-3)
149–Trey Heckadon (G) won by fall over Ben Freese, 2:47 (11-9)
157–Dylan Brazell (G) won by fall over Dennis Simmons, 4:34 (11-15)
165–Brennan Swafford (G) won by forfeit (11-21)
174–Drew Sams (G) won by technical fall over Dylan Comstock, 19-2 (11-26)
184–Austinn Goin (W) won by fall over Jonathon Juarez, 5:43 (17-26)
197–Sheldon Rodriguez (W) won by major decision over Justin Outerbridge, 12-4 (21-26)
285–Shawn Beeson (G) won by forfeit (21-32)
