Vicente and Rempson Win Titles, Conner in Finals at Season Opener
William Penn University Athletics
Mason City–Three members of the Statesmen wrestling team made it to the finals to highlight a big opening day of the season for WPU at the North Iowa Area CC Kaye Young Open Saturday.
133-pounder Joao Vicente (So., East Providence, R.I., Secondary Education) and 165-pounder Ishmael Rempson (Jr., Olympia Heights, Ill., Industrial Technology) were the best of their respective weight classes at 4-0 each, while Skip Conner (Fr., Madison Heights, Mich., Business Management) claimed runner-up honors with a 3-1 mark at heavyweight.
Vicente won twice by fall, once more by major decision, and concluded his day with a 7-4 victory over Alfredo Rodriguez of Iowa Lakes CC in the finals. Rempson also claimed two falls and dropped Elijah Dennis (Iowa Lakes CC) 3-2 in the championship match.
Conner, who took one win via fall, fell 4-2 to Shakheim Chapman of host NIACC in the finals.
Five other grapplers placed for the navy and gold as well, led by fourths from 149-pounder Lane Colwell (So., Knoxville, Iowa, Computer Science) and 285-pounder Nathan Veverka (Sr., Montezuma, Iowa, Industrial Technology). Colwell had a 3-2 mark (one fall, one major decision), while Veverka led his team with five wins (5-2–two falls).
141-pounder Marshawn Lacy (Jr., Chicago Heights, Ill., Computer Science), with two major decisions and one fall, and 149-pounder Jay Fresh (So., Knoxville, Iowa, Sociology), with one fall, were both 4-2 to take home fifth-place honors. Kyle Soderblom (Jr., Newton, Iowa, Biology), in his first competition since earning All-America laurels last March, was 2-1 for sixth place.
141-pounder Logan Loftus (Fr., Marengo, Iowa, Industrial Technology) and 157-pounder Charlton Benjamin (Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Sociology) both managed 3-2 records Saturday, finishing just one victory shy of being in the top six. Loftus had a squad-best three falls, while Benjamin won twice by major decision and once by fall.
Brad Watson (So., Rolla, Mo., Physical Education) was also a multiple winner (2-2, one fall) at 149 pounds. 125-pounder Andrew Gorman (Fr., Madison Heights, Mich., Business Management) and 157-pounder Joshua Wooten (Fr., Belleville, Mich., Physical Education) both had their hands risen by fall, while Trey Busick (Fr., Pleasantville, Iowa, Industrial Technology) claimed a major decision win. Nick Wise (So., Phoenix, Ariz., Biology) won at 184 pounds as well.
Next: William Penn takes a week off before traveling to Decorah to compete at the Luther Invitational on Saturday, November 16.
