WPU Opens Season at Grand View Open

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Des Moines–Members of the Statesmen wrestling team faced some of the best grapplers in the state Saturday as William Penn began the 2017-2018 year at the Grand View Open.

In addition to the host Vikings, several NCAA Division I programs, including Iowa State and Northern Iowa, were also on the mat to make life difficult for the navy and gold.

The tournament was split into two divisions–Freshman/Sophomore and Open. More than a handful of Statesmen competed in both divisions and picked up wins Saturday.

OPEN

One win each was notched by 133-pounder Gilberto Rodriguez (So., Manassas, Va.), 149-pounder Tommy Rios (Jr., Tucson, Ariz., Exercise Science), and 157-pounder Dennis Simmons (So., Tucson, Ariz., Sociology).

FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE

174-pounder Jason Beebe (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa) and 197-pounder Sheldon Rodriguez (So., Tampa, Fla., Biology) both claimed falls at the Open, while a technical fall was tallied by Sam Brophy (So., Pahrump, Nev., American History and Government) at 149 pounds.

125-pounder Josue Dansou (Fr., Davenport, Iowa, Industrial Technology) defeated one of his opponents by major decision, and Darquell Pierre (So., St. Petersburg, Fla., Sociology) and Griffen Molenburg (Fr., New Sharon, Iowa), at 133 and 157 pounds respectively, also had their hands raised once in victory.

Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa next Wednesday for its home opener as it hosts Waldorf in a dual meet at 6 p.m.