Wrestling team looks to build upon last year
University of Indianapolis wrestling now stands at 18th in the nation.
“This success is what they wanted and have been working for, so this isn’t a surprise…They will just continue working hard and focus on nationals,” head coach Jason Warthan said.
Due to the team’s success in The Midwest Classic and Cincinnati Dual, David Lopez, Bryce Givens, Jake Holler and Shelby Mappes are regionally ranked fourth in their respective weight classes. Additionally, Alex Johns is ranked third in the 125-weight class.
“It really put our team on the map,” explained sophomore Blake Harvey on the team placing fourth in The Midwest Classic in December. “We got to show them what we got, and we weren’t really able to do that last year.”
Senior Lynn Panko, the only heavyweight at the 285 weight class, occupies seventh place in the nation. Panko isn’t concerned with rankings in January.
“I went to nationals my sophomore year and lost in the final match, then realized ranking doesn’t really matter till nationals,” said Panko. “Right now all I need to do is concentrate on my body; after a season of wrestling. everyone is bound to have aches and pains.”
Over break, UIndy wrestlers competed in The Midwest Classic and Cincinnati Dual. Also, the team practiced twice a day. According to Warthan, it was to work on conditioning, technique and the team’s health.
The wrestling team traveled to Wheaton, Illinois for the Wheaton Invitational Jan. 29 and 30. The ‘Hounds claimed the six place finish.
An individual title at 125 from freshman Alex Johns raised the teams’ overall placing.
The UIndy wrestling team split into two squads in order to compete in both The Monon Bell Duals hosted by Wabash College and the Eastern Michigan Duals in Ypsilanti, Michigan on Jan. 23.
The Monon Bell Duals ended with Indianapolis falling to Wabash, Manchester and Calumet. However, UIndy wrestlers claimed victory over Wilmington (Ohio).
Indianapolis freshman Casey Kenney shined in The Monon Bell Duals by winning all four of his matches. Wilmington’s Chris Hess and Oscur Trujoillo of Wabash were pinned first before Kenney defeated Manchester’s Charles Holmquest. To finish up a perfect match, Kenney pinned Calumet’s Nick Foutis.
Additionally, freshman Trey Weliver delivered a 2-2 record pinning opponent Neeko Paris of Manchester and defeating Tim Brown from Wilmington by a 15-5 tally.
In Michigan, meanwhile, UIndy wrestlers defeated Division III teams Theil and Olivet, while falling to Eastern Michigan.
Johns won all three of his matches in the 125-weight class while Panko, Lopez and Ethan Harris won two out of three rounds.
The Greyhounds will compete in the McKendree University Dual Feb. 3.
