SEWARD, Neb. – By night’s end, Concordia University Wrestling found out where it stood in relation to the GPAC’s current most dominant force. While putting to use a lineup full of nationally ranked individuals, fourth-ranked Doane emerged from Friedrich Arena with a 44-0 blanking on Friday (Jan. 13). The Bulldogs missed out on a shot at a pin at 125 and the Tigers pounced while setting the tone for the night. Doane won eight matches with bonus points.
Head Coach Chase Clasen’s squad slipped to 8-2 overall (3-2 GPAC) in what has been a strong 2022-23 campaign. Concordia had jumped up to No. 4 in the most recent GPAC ratings.
Every team in the GPAC will be chasing Doane (14-1, 4-0 GPAC), the defending GPAC champions. Fresh off placing third at the NWCA National Duals, the Tigers put on a show in front of a crowd bolstered by the presence of the Seward Wrestling Club. Out of the gate, the Bulldogs had their chance to grab the early advantage. Concordia freshman Bryce Karlin of Beatrice, Neb., recorded a takedown and four near fall points in the first period. Unfortunately, a 6-0 lead for Karlin gave way to a pin for 20th-ranked Hunter Bennett in the second period.
The next best chance for a Bulldog win came at 197 as 25th-ranked Logan Davidson led 2-0 after one period and briefly tied the match, 4-4, with a reversal of the Tigers’ Cael Jordan in the third period. A quick reversal the other way provided the final margin as Jordan eked out a 6-4 decision over Davidson. In the 149-pound bout, Jeaven Scdoris put up a fight in notching a pair of takedowns before succumbing, 14-8, to No. 10 Tristan Zamilpa.
The audience got a look at the seemingly unstoppable Baagii Boldmaa at 141 pounds. The three-time national champion earned a 20-5 technical fall over No. 17 Creighton Baughman in perhaps the evening’s most anticipated match. The rest of the Concordia lineup featured Grant Wells (133), Tommy Wentz (157), Issiah Burks (165), Jose Sanchez (174), Garret Moser (184) and Cy Renney (285). The evening came to a conclusion with a pin for Doane heavyweight Brandon Antesberger.
The only other loss this season for the Bulldogs came at the hands of then 12th-ranked Morningside on Nov. 22. Concordia then rattled off five dual victories in a row over nonconference foes.
The Bulldogs will have the remainder of the weekend off from competition while looking ahead to the Missouri Valley Invite on Jan. 20-21. Hosted by Missouri Valley College, the tournament is known as one of the premier NAIA events each regular season. Concordia last competed at the invite in 2020 when it placed 16th out of 48 teams. As far as the dual slate, a pivotal day of GPAC matchups will take place in Sioux City, Iowa, on Jan. 28.