Statesmen Nip Short-Handed Hannibal-LaGrange on Mat

William Penn University Athletics

Hannibal, Mo.–The William Penn wrestling team did not compete with a full squad, but a big fall by a star freshman pulled the navy and gold through in a 24-23 victory over Hannibal-LaGrange in dual-meet action Tuesday.

The Statesmen (3-6) won just one of the five contested matches, but claimed three forfeit wins to come out on top.

The visitors rolled out to a 12-0 lead after back-to-back forfeits at 125 and 141 (the 133-pound match was not contested).

Losses at 149, 165, and 174 (WP won by forfeit at 157) allowed the Trojans to narrow the margin to 18-11, but Kyle Soderblom (Fr., Newton, Lynnville-Sully HS) clinched the team victory with a fall at 184 pounds over Nathan Downs in a time of 5:15. That made the score 24-11 with two matches remaining.

Hannibal-LaGrange concluded the night with a win at 197 pounds and a forfeit at heavyweight.

Next: William Penn concludes its regular season next Saturday by traveling to Des Moines to compete in the NAIA Central Qualifier. Action begins at 9 a.m.

#17 William Penn def. Hannibal-LaGrange, 24-23

125–Isaiah Mayorquin (W) won by forfeit (6-0)
133–No match (6-0)
141–Tyler Schneider (W) won by forfeit (12-0)
149–Tommy Pickens (H) won by decision over Charlton Benjamin, 10-6 (12-3)
157–Bryan Pittman (W) won by forfeit (18-3)
165–Bryce Alexander (H) won by technical fall over Anthony Martinez, 16-1 (18-8)
174–Ian Taylor (H) won by decision over Joe Sumner, 5-2 (18-11)
184–Kyle Soderblom (W) won by fall over Nathan Downs, 5:15 (24-11)
197–Dan Capp (H) won by fall over Chris Diaz, 5:54 (22-17)
285–Jake Hare (H) won by forfeit (24-13)