Central College Wrestling

Competing at Central's H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse, the Dutch (0-17) were overwhelmed by 24th-ranked Buena Vista 41-12, 17th-ranked Cornell 56-0, fifth-rated Luther 45-9 and 16th-ranked Loras 45-9.

Central is inching closer to a full lineup but still was open at two weights. Ryan DeVriendt (senior, Sherrard, Ill.) was back for the Dutch at 157 pounds after being sidelined by injury for the second time and scored wins in his final two matches for a 2-2 mark, edging Luther's Danny Fornoff 3-2 and Mark Kapraun of Loras 3-1. Freshman Jess Welu (Dubuque, Hempstead HS) notched a fall at 184 pounds over Luther's Thomas Ingram in 4:27.

“With four opponents in the top 20, the competition level was elevated considerably today compared to what we've been seeing,” coach Eric Reed said. “We faced several ranked wrestlers, but the guys fought harder today than they have all year. Some of the things we've been working on and that were working, we got away from, but they made up for it by fighting and working hard.”

Even with the defeats, the Dutch emerged with a confidence boost, Reed said.
“This is the competition we'll see at the Iowa Conference tournament,” he said. “But the guys know now that they can compete with them. Hopefully they see that when they go out and fight, they give themselves a chance to be in it.”

Central makes its first appearance in the Briar Cliff Invitational at Sioux City next Saturday, where Reed anticipates facing several NAIA opponents. The Dutch then wrap up the dual meet schedule with a Feb. 7 match at Simpson.