By: Howie Thompson, Director of Sports Communication
The #3 Peacocks opened their home schedule with a dual in Dorman Gym this evening against the Warriors of Waldorf College. After the Warriors picked up wins at 125, 157, 165 and 174 pounds to take a 13-12 lead, Upper Iowa put their hopes on the sturdy backs of their upper weights and the veteran crew of wrestlers responded with three pins to push the final margin to seventeen points, 30-13.
Upper Iowa tied the dual at 133 pounds where Duane Richardson posted a controlled 4-0 decision thanks to a takedown in the first period, an escape and a ride time point. Blake Hilmer kept the momentum on the home team's side winning a 3-0 decision with a takedown and escape to put the Peacocks up 6-3.
Jordan Rinken made the most of his first appearance in front of the home crowd posting an impressive win by fall. At the time of the fall (5:44) Rinken was ahead 18-5 and on the verge of more near fall points when he pinned Emmanuel Del Castillo's shoulders to the mat. After the fall, the Peacocks led the dual by a 12-3 count.
The Warriors fought back with a major decision victory at 157 pounds and a pair of decisions at 165 and 174 to take a 13-12 lead with three matches remaing.
The lead lasted a whopping 17 seconds as Mitch Schultz used a throw to put Steven DelGado on his back and record a pin just 17 seconds into the match. Not to be outdone, Carl Broghammer followed with a win by fall over Brock Binversie 2:17 into the first period and Zach Rosol closed out the night with a pin in the second period (3:44) against Jacob Combs.
The UIU upper weights backed up their national recognition in preseason polls with impressive season debuts in Dorman.
The Peacocks will now head west to the University of Northern Iowa this Satruday for the UNI Open before heading out to Indianapolis for the Midwest Classic on December 18-19.
Upper Iowa 30 - Waldorf 13