Ted Dirkx Feb. 12, 2008

Dirkx gets OT win for Dutch

PELLA—Freshman Ted Dirkx (Alleman, North Polk HS) scored an overtime win at 285 pounds but the Central College wrestling team closed out the dual-meet season with a 42-3 defeat against Simpson College Tuesday.

Dirkx was up 1-0 with 20 seconds remaining and was assured of a riding time point before suffering a late reversal against Simpson’s Caleb Shaeffer. But in the overtime Dirkx quickly put Shaeffer on his back, then settled for a 3-point near fall for a 7-2 victory, raising his record to 5-7.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Ted,” coach Eric Van Kley said. “Every time he wrestles, it seems like he’s giving up 40-50 pounds but every time he wrestles, he gives a good effort. That was a big win.”

Simpson (4-10) scored falls at four other weights while picking up three forfeit victories as injury-plagued Central (0-15-1) had just five wrestlers in the lineup. Simpson was open at two weights.

Central’s only remaining regular-season meet is the Iowa Conference tournament Feb. 21 at Waverly. Van Kley said that taking on a field loaded with nationally ranked opposition will be a challenge for his young squad.

“We’ll just stick with the same motto we’ve had all year and that’s to just improve each week,” he said. “We know we’ll have our hands full at the conference meet, but it’s one more opportunity to get a little better and learn what we need to work on. For most of these guys it will be their first conference tournament. I’m excited to see how we do in that kind of environment.”

Simpson 42, Central 3
125—no match; 133—no match—141—Caleb Brus (S) won by fall over Nick Johnson, 0:31; 149—Curtis Barber (S) won by forfeit; 157—Ben Hektoen (S) won by forfeit; 165—Geoff Murtha (S) won by fall over Kevin Yeoman, 1:29; 174—Jordy Ammons (S) won by fall over Jeremiah Teeple, 2:03; 184—Garrett Kiley (S) won by forfeit; 197—Sam Collora (S) won by fall over Chris Keeran, 2:17; 285—Ted Dirkx (C) dec. Caleb Shaeffer, 7-2 (OT).