Two wrestling wins for Central in first competition

PELLA — Finally back on the mats competing, the Central College wrestling team defeated Nebraska Wesleyan University 45-4 and the University of Dubuque 31-9 in a home triangular Saturday afternoon.

Central (2-0, 2-0 American Rivers Conference) hadn’t competed since the NCAA Division III Wrestling Central Region Championships on March 1, 2020.

“I think the theme of the day was excitement for our guys being able to compete and wrestle,” coach Eric Van Kley said. “The fact they channeled that into wrestling really well makes it sweeter. They’ve made tons of sacrifices over the last six months to get this opportunity today and it’s great to see them capitalize on it.”

Six Central wrestlers went 2-0 in the duals, including the lightest and heaviest wrestlers. 125-pounder Chase Poston (junior, Olympia, Wash.) won decisions by 7-3 and 4-3 margins while Samuel Zook (junior, Oak Harbor, Wash.) recorded a pair of falls.

“I think the huge thing that got us going in the right against Dubuque was Chase,” Van Kley said. “We started well at 125 and Zook closed the door at285 pounds. It is a coach’s dream to start strong and know you’re going to finish strong.”

Senior 184-pounder Griffen McBride (Pleasantville) also won both of his matches by fall, including a first-period pin against the Prairie Wolves.

“He’s the leader of our team,” Van Kley said. “He does so many things right and it makes my job easier. He leads with his actions on and off the mat. His win against Dubuque kind of sealed the match.”

Newcomer Luis Ramos (sophomore, Selma, Calif.) debuted with two wins at 141 pounds and his high school teammate and 2020 All-American Rob Areyano (junior, 157 pounds) also had a pair of victories. Sophomore Chris Wilson (174 pounds, Houston, Texas, Cypress Ridge HS) was the final Dutch wrestler to go 2-0.

Next Saturday, Central will travel to Waverly for duals against Wartburg College and Buena Vista University starting at 1 p.m.