Wrestling

  • Seven national top-10 team finishes
  • Four NCAA Div. III individual championships
  • 42 All-America honors

Six placewinners in opener

Wrestling | Nov. 14, 2009

Reid ImermanGALESBURG, ILL.—Progress is already evident for the Central College wrestling squad.

The Dutch had six placewinners at the season-opening Knox (Ill.) Invitational Saturday. There were no team scores in the 16-team tournament which included Iowa Conference rivals Simpson and Luther.

Josh Atwell (sophomore, Jamaica, Panorama HS) finished second in his Central debut at 141 pounds. Reid Imerman (sophomore, Guthrie Center) and Tommy Van Renterghem (sophomore, Oskaloosa) tied for third at 165 pounds while freshmen Theron Stewart (freshman, Marshalltown) and Jacob Crawford (Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) also had promising collegiate debuts, finishing fourth at 197 and 285 pounds, respectively. Another newcomer, junior transfer Justin Marx (Dike, Dike-New Hartford HS), was sixth at 125 pounds.

“It was a good starting point for us,” said coach Eric Van Kley, whose program is making strides as he enters his third season.

Van Kley said that Stewart was among those who opened some eyes on opening day.

“Theron really had a nice day,” he said. “He’s a guy who we think has a lot of potential. But he showed not only ability but a lot of heart in winning some close, hard-fought matches.

“Top to bottom, I was proud of how we battled. We won a lot of close ones. We definitely made some technical mistakes, which are things we can improve, but the effort of the kids was outstanding.”

Central opens its dual meet season Wednesday at 7 p.m. against No. 4-ranked Coe College at Columbus Junction High School.

 

Central College