UIndy wrestling competes at home
The University of Indianapolis wrestling team hosted the Greyhound Open on Feb. 2.
Junior Evan Wooding led the team at the 2013 Greyhound Open and pulled a sixth-place finish in the 285-pound weight class, going 3-0 in the open with three pins before having to medically forfeit.
Other Greyhounds competing in the event included redshirt sophomore Paul Beck in the 133-pound weight class, freshman Mason Meling in the 141-pound weight class, freshman Lucas Rooney in the 157-pound weight class and junior Weston Davis in the 165-pound weight class.
The evening before on Feb. 1, UIndy defeated McKendree during the Greyhounds’ Senior Night 22-18. Redshirt junior George Lopez took a 2-1 win in the 184-pound weight class shortly before intermission, with UIndy behind 12-3. Following intermission, redshirt junior Alex Johns gained six points for the team following a forfeit.
Sophomore Justin Kieffer also pinned his opponent in 1:36, which helped bring the Greyhounds closer to McKendree, 18-15. Junior Cameryn Brady had a major decision of 21-8 at 149, which gave the team the lead at 19-18. Senior Bryce Givens sealed the victory, following a 3-1 win at 157.
Prior to the matches, an away match was cancelled, which Head Wrestling Coach Jason Warthan said turned out to be a good thing for the team.
“Since the next few weeks are going to be big weeks for us, I told the guys to keep practicing and that if you’re going to get a headcold or injury, now is the time to do it,” Warthan said.
Johns said that at this point in the season, the team’s approach in preparation has changed.
“Right now we’re winding down, just getting our bodies prepared,” Johns said.
The Greyhounds will close out their regular season at the Ashland Simonson Open on Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. The team will then head to the NCAA Division II Super Regional in Upper Iowa.
Warthan’s predictions for who would have the best bet to succeed and move on in regionals toward nationals included Johns, Wooding, Givens, Brady, junior Jeff Weiss and redshirt sophomore Taylor Scott.
Warthan felt good about the team’s experience and how far it will carry them in the regional competition.
“The team is a veteran one,” Warthan said. “So everyone has a shot of advancing on to regionals. With Josh [Kieffer] redshirting this year, it’s Alex [Johns] who’s advancing in the 125-pound class. Cameryn [Brady] is ranked sixth at 149, and Josh’s brother, Justin [Kieffer], is also having a good year at 141. So we have a good deal of talent at the lower half of the weight class.”
