Indianola, IA - Williams launched its dual meet season with a sterling 2-0 record and posting big wins over out of conference rival Simpson College, and 18th ranked Luther College.
The Ephs hit the mats for their first dual meet of the season against 18th ranked Luther College (1-2). This coming on the heels of a strong performance at Doug Parker Tournament and a Thanksgiving break that allowed the Ephs to get healthy and figure out their line up.
At 125 for the Ephs was senior Josh Mattana who dropped a tough 9 - 6 decision against Luther's Daniel Mendoza. After earning an early takedown and working for a bit of ride time, Mattana lost position, giving up a reversal and back points that would eventually be the deciding factor.
At 133 Kaison Tanabe made his first start of the season against Luther's Jayson Swanson, currently ranked 6th in the nation. Tanabe didn't blink. He scored an early takedown and continued to grind Swanson out and work a few turns. He won the match with a 12 - 4 major decision that brought the Ephs into the lead.
From there the Ephs never looked back as Ces Antista stepped in at 141 and scored a big takedown an early in the match clearing his opponent Chris George. Antista worked a turn and scored a key escape in the second period to go on and win by decision, 7 - 0.
Corey Paulish continued his strong start against Luther's Brent Blaser when he racked up 8 points in the first minute of the match and led 10 - 1 in the first period. He looked to be on his way to another technical fall, but was unable to turn Blaser andwon 13 - 2.
Darius Charles was the first Eph in the class of 2014 to take the stage and he did not disappoint earning his first victory as a starter against Calvin Canales. After drawing first blood by getting an early takedown, Charles came up with a big edge of the mat take down to ensure overtime, where he won with a quick and decisive take down.
Scott Sanderson started for the first time at 165 while he tried to get something going early with many attempted shots, he wasn't able to get any momentum and lost the match to Garrett Bonte 11 - 1.
Mir Henglin also got his first start as an Eph but struggled out the gate as he was unable to get anything going offensively, and was eventually pinned in the third period.
Mike Lomio rounded out the new starters in the Ephs line up and showed great poise as a freshmen starter. He outwrestled Jack Steinburg for a narrow 3 - 1 victory earned by a last second takedown.
Ryan Malo continues to pad his pin numbers recording a pin over Nick Pearch in the third round in his typically dominating fashion.
Colin Curzi kicked off the Heavyweight rotation and wrestled to a stalemate first period before going down 1-0 in the second thanks to a quick stand up from Colin White who would eventually grind out a 5-2 win after capitalizing on a few failed shots by Curzi.
The Ephs won the match 23 - 16
Wt. Match Match Score Team Score
125 Daniel Mendoza (LC) def. Josh Mattana (WC) D, 9-6 3-0 LC
133 Kaison Tanabe (WC) def. Jayson Swanson (LC) MD, 12-4 4-3 WC
141 Ces Antista (WC) def. Chris George (LC) D, 7-0 7-3 WC
149 Corey Paulish (WC) def. Brent Blaser (LC) MD, 13-2 11-3 WC
157 Darius Charles (WC) def. Calvin Canales (LC) D, 8-6 (OT) 14-3 WC
165 Garret Bonte (LC) def. Scott Sanderson (WC) MD, 11-1 14-7 WC
174 Jarid Groth (LC) def. Mir Henglin (WC) F, 6:09 14-13 WC
184 Mike Lomio (WC) def. Jack Steinberg (LC) D, 3-1 17-13 WC
197 Ryan Malo (WC) def. Nick Pearch (LC) F, 5:26 23-13 WC
285 Colin White (LC) def. Colin Curzi (WC) D, 5-2 23-16 WC
Final: Williams 23, Luther 16
Williams wrestling then took the mats for a second time on Friday night in their annual match against the home team Simpson College.
The Ephs started the match by collecting a forfeit at 125
Then Tanabe built on an already strong showing by gutting out a 6 - 4 victory over Jeff Sand. After being hit with a stalling call early, Kaison managed a few key escapes and won an impressive 2-minute scramble to hold off a surging Sand.
Ces Antista kept his tempo to a maximum scoring a big takedown early in the match, and settling in on top and working for the eventual first period pin.
Paulish picked up where he left off beating Caleb Brusus by major decision. Scoring an early takedown, Paulish set in to do what he had before, work a few turns and rack up points. He wasn't able to turn Brusus after the third period, but won the match 8-0.
Darius Charles finished the day 1-1 after he dropped a close match to Calvin Barber. Charles wasn't able to work the set ups he wanted through the first two periods, and wasn't able to muster much offense at the end of the match. Ultimately an escape by Barber in the early third period would decide the match.
Simpson's Justin Bruce scored a takedown early and held on to beat Sanderson 2-0 after several scrambles that could have gone either way.
Mir finished his night with an unusually high scoring affair with Jordan Ammons scoring 22 points and Henglin scoring 9. Most of the points came from escape points as Ammons repeatedly scored take downsagainst Henglin but was unable to keep him down.
Mike Lomio finished the night 2-0 as he scored a takedown early in the first period and maintained the lead from then on beating Spencer Lueder 6-1.
Malo wrapped up the Ephs night with another impressive pin over Jared Bevins early in the second round after scoring a few early takedowns.
Nikola Mirkovic also collected a forfeit, and the Ephs won the match 34 - 10.
Wt. Match Match Score Team Score
125 Taylor Treadgold (WC) Forfeit 6-0 WC
133 Kaison Tanabe (WC) def. Jeff Sand (SC) D, 6-4 9-0 WC
141 Ces Antista (WC) def. Derek Entz (SC) F, 2:43 15-0 WC
149 Corey Paulish (WC) def. Caleb Brus (SC) MD, 8-0 19-0 WC
157 Calvin Barber (SC) def. Darius Charles (WC) D, 1-0 19-3 WC
165 Justin Bruce (SC) def. Scott Sanderson (WC) D, 2-0 19-6 WC
174 Jordan Ammons (SC) def. Mir Hanglin (WC) MD, 22-9 19-10 WC
184 Mike Lomio (WC) def. Spencer Lueders (SC) D, 6-1 22-10 WC
197 Ryan Malo (WC) def. Jared Bevins (SC) F, 3:46 28-10 WC
285 Nikola Mirkovic (WC) Forfeit 34-10 WC
Final: Williams 34, Simpson 10
Now the Ephs regroup and prepare for the Simpson Invitational tomorrow.
Coach Hasenfus's comments to follow the tournament.
