Top-ranked Wartburg opens IIAC dual schedule with win

DUBUQUE – Fueled by bonus point wins in its first four matches, Wartburg got out to a quick start en route to a 44-0 win over Loras in Iowa Conference dual wrestling action Wednesday, Dec. 3.

The top-ranked Knights, earning the program’s 123rd consecutive dual win against Iowa Conference competition, received major decisions from 125-pounder Mark Kist, 133-pounder Matt Kelly, and 149-pounder Jacob Groth. Jacob Mirocha, at 141, gained a fall in the roll. After a pair of decision wins at 157 and 165, Wartburg picked up three straight bonus-point victories to put the dual out of reach. Craig Kreman, at 174, took a pin, while freshman 197-pounder Byron Tate gained a major decision, and freshman 184-pounder Ben Scott was winner by forfeit.

In the two highlight matches of ranked wrestlers, Wartburg 157-pounder Aaron Wernimont, ranked number one, held off a strong charge from the Duhawks’ Erik Hansen, ranked fifth, for a 9-6 final. At heavyweight, ninth-ranked heavyweight John Helgerson upended third-ranked Trevor Kauffman 10-5.

#1 Wartburg 44, #19 Loras 0

Graber Center
Dubuque, Iowa
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Mike Allen: Referee

125 – Mark Kist (W) maj. dec. Tom Drosopoulos, 11-3
133 – Matt Kelly (W) maj. dec. Mark Beatty, 11-3
141 – Jacob Mirocha (W) won by fall over Jordan Loy, 5:19
149 – Jacob Groth (W) maj. dec. Jacob Butteris, 13-2
157 – Aaron Wernimont (W) dec. Erik Hansen, 9-6
165 – Justin Hanson (W) dec. Joel Allen, 8-2
174 – Craig Kreman (W) won by fall over Mike Levasseur, 3:24
184 – Ben Scott (W) won by forfeit
197 – Byron Tate (W) maj. dec. Alex Grafft, 10-1
HWT – John Helgerson (W) dec. Trevor Kauffman, 10-5