Strong start spearheads Central wrestling triumph
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA — Winning the first seven bouts and eight total was more than enough for the No. 13 Central College wrestling team to take down No. 18 Augustana College 28-12 on Thursday night.
It’s the first dual win of the season for Central (1-1) and fourth straight over the Vikings (1-2).
With a fall and technical fall from No. 2 C.J. Pestano (125 pounds, senior, Torrance, Calif.) and No. 3 Cam Timok (133 pounds, junior, Glen Allen, Va., Hermitage HS), the dual started as expected as Central marched to an 11-0 lead
It was a 2-0 decision from junior Tristan Clark (Prairie City, PCM HS) at 141 pounds followed by a 9-5 win by Daniel Radcliffe (sophomore, Lockport, Ill., Lockport Township HS) that may have caught Augustana off guard according to coach Eric Van Kley.
“I don’t think Augustana planned on winning at 125 and 133, but (Brendan Gould) had beaten Tristan twice this year and (Daniel Terronez) had previously pined Radcliffe. Tristan wrestled an outstanding match and Danel had the effort of the night. They really got the momentum going and we were able to steamroll them.”
Through the middle weights, Central picked up decisions from Collin Groleau (sophomore, LaSalle, Ill., LaSalle-Peru Township HS) at 157 pounds, Jeremy Vester (junior, Oak Harbor, Wash.) at 165 pounds and Andrew Fritz (sophomore, Sigourney) at 174 pounds.
The last Dutch victory of the night belonged to sophomore Duncan Lee (Newton) at 197 pounds who shut out Trystyn Schoonover 4-0.
“Duncan really paid his dues last year and learned a lot form (All-American) Matt Seabold,” Van Kley said. “He’s carried the torch and wrestled well.”
Central will send wrestlers to the Milwaukee School of Engineering Invitational as well as the Buena Vista Open on Saturday to get as many wrestlers on the mat as possible.
“It’s our last tournaments of the first semester so we want to finish strong and see good efforts at both tournaments,” Van Kley said. “I’m excited to see how they compete this weekend.”
