Wrestling travels to Northern Iowa for open
The University of Indianapolis wrestling team competed at the University of Northern Iowa on Dec. 8 for the UNI Open.
Junior Jeff Weiss led the Greyhounds in victories with three in his bracket, while three other Greyhounds finished with two wins in their respective brackets.
The Greyhounds hosted the 53rd annual Little State Invitational at Nicoson Hall on Dec. 1.
Three wrestlers placed at the invitational. The Greyhounds took a pair of second-place finishes and a seventh-place finish.
Redshirt junior Alex Johns took second place in the 125 bracket to the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler, Justin Brooks of Indiana Tech, at 6-1. Redshirt junior Shelby Mappes took second place in the 174 bracket to Ryan Pieper of Trince University at 6-3.
Junior Weston Davis finished seventh in the 165 bracket, pinning in Trine’s Jacob Schroeder at 2:35 in the match.
“I am pleased with our progress,” said Head Wrestling Coach Jason Warthan. “The guys have worked out a lot this year.”
According to Johns, the starters were resting during Little State to save themselves for later in the season.
UIndy traveled to Lindsey Wilson College on Nov. 28, where the wrestlers split in their first dual meet of the season. The Greyhounds faced National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics No. 4 Newberry College and host No. 10 Lindsey Wilson.
The Greyhounds lost to Newberry 27-12. Johns took a decision over No. 8 Jeff Vesta 9-6, and junior Cameryn Brady took a decision over No. 8 Derel Brown 11-5 in the 149 match.
Redshirt sophomore Taylor Scott and junior Evan Wooding defeated their opponents at 197 and heavyweight. The Greyhounds surrendered forfeits at 133 and 141.
The Greyhounds defeated Lindsey Wilson 26-19. Johns put UIndy up 6-0 with a pin on Kary Goff at 1:58.
Following two forfeits by UIndy, Brady took another forfeit for the Greyhounds. Redshirt senior Bryce Givens and junior Jeff Weiss followed with major decisions for the Greyhounds at 157 and 165, putting the team up 20-12.
Lindsey Wilson responded with seven points, and then Scott and Wooding countered with six more points for UIndy.
According to Scott, the men went into the dual meet with a good attitude and were ready to compete.
Johns said the other teams tested the Greyhounds’ ability well.
“It was good quality competition,” Johns said.
The 21st annual Ashland Harris Open at Ashland University on Nov. 17 marked the beginning of the wrestlers’ season. Five Greyhounds placed at the event.
Scott fell as runner-up to Ashland’s top-ranked Joseph Brandt in a 4-3 narrow decision.
“It was nice to know I could hang with top guys,” said Scott.
Johns took third place with an 11-1 victory. Junior Wade Thiel placed fourth for the team, going 4-1 in the 141 bracket. Sophomore Justin Kieffer also took fourth in the 141 bracket, going 4-2 in the tournament. Wooding placed fifth at 285 with a 5-2 run.
According to Warthan, everyone did well in the opening tournament, getting a win each.
“It was a chance to wrestle high-quality competition and experienced players,” Scott said. “We got a feel for our competition.”
UIndy will host the 34th annual Midwest Classic in Nicoson Hall Dec. 15-16 at 10 a.m.
