SEWARD, Neb. – After an idle two weeks, the Concordia University wrestling team returns to action this weekend. The defending GPAC champion Bulldogs are readying to visit Dakota Wesleyan for a dual at 6 p.m. CT on Friday (Nov. 13) before competing in the Dakota Wesleyan open on Saturday (Nov.14) at 9 a.m. CT.
Dual Info
Concordia (0-1) vs. Dakota Wesleyan (0-0)
6 p.m. CT | Mitchell, S.D.
Live Webcast: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/dwu/
Dakota Wesleyan University Open Live Results
Head coach Levi Calhoun’s squad lost its opening dual to York 30-19 back on Oct. 30. However, the Bulldogs rebounded the next day, combining for 31 wins in the York Open. Fourteen Bulldogs competed in the event, which consisted of four to five matches for each wrestler. Of the 14 Concordia wrestlers, each recorded at least one victory. Junior Mario Ybarra was the top performer as he took home the title in the 133-pound weight class. Ybarra finished the event 5-0 with a pair of pins. Junior Issiah Burks also had a solid performance, pinning his first four opponents before falling in the 157-pound championship match to Grand view's Alex Reynolds. Freshman Jacob Telles was also impressive in his debut, finishing in third place, going 4-1 with three pins while wrestling in the 285-pound weight class
Reigning 157-pound GPAC champion Gabe Crawford did not wrestle in the event but is expected to be in the lineup this weekend. In the recent GPAC conference ratings, Ybarra is ranked No. 1 in the 133-pound weight class while Crawford is ranked second at 165 pounds. Other Bulldogs ranked include Jeaven Scdoris (No. 3, 141), Burks (No. 3, 157), Tavoris Smith (No. 6, 157), Jace Summers (No. 3, 174), Mason Garcia (No. 5, 197) and Telles (No. 4, 285).
Ybarra, Burks and Crawford will headline the Concordia lineup in Friday’s dual at Dakota Wesleyan. Senior Oscar Ramirez-Garcia (184 pounds) will also bring experience to the lineup. The Bulldogs lineup will be rounded out by six freshmen: Carter Willis (125), Scdoris, Jett High (149), T.J. Huber (174), Garcia and Telles.
During last year's matchup, Concordia dominated Dakota Wesleyan by the score of 48-4. The Bulldogs have won seven straight duals over the Tigers dating back to 2013 by a combined margin of 332-26. Concordia is a combined 41-4 in GPAC duals since the start of the 2014-2015 season.
Friday’s dual will be the season opener for Dakota Wesleyan. Head Coach Casey Mouw’s squad went 0-9 in 2019-2020. The Tigers have dropped their last 36 decisions dating back to 2016. Senior Marcus Urban is Wesleyan’s biggest threat on the mats as he currently is the top-rated GPAC wrestler in the 165-pound weight class. Urban was the lone national qualifier for the Tigers a year ago. Other returning starters from last year’s campaign include Mitchell Messersmith (So.), Cole Halouska (Jr.), and Carter Max (So.).
One key matchup to keep an eye on will be the 165-pound showdown between GPAC No. 1 Marcus Urban and GPAC No. 2 Gabe Crawford.
After this weekend's action, the Bulldogs will have a quick turnaround. Concordia will be back on the mats Saturday, Nov. 21 at 9 a.m. CT, as they compete in the University of Nebraska Kearney Open.
Concordia
125 – Carter Willis (Fr.)
133 – Mario Ybarra (Jr.)
141 – Jeaven Scdoris (Fr.)
149 – Jett High (Fr.)
157 – Issiah Burks (Jr.)
165 – Gabe Crawford (Sr.)
174 – T.J. Huber (Fr.)
184 – Oscar Ramirez-Garcia (Sr.)
197 – Mason Garcia (Fr.)
285 – Jacob Telles (Fr.)
Dakota Wesleyan
125 – Open
133 – Darien Malone (Fr.)
141– Jared Harris (Fr.)
149 – Coby Eikenhorst (Fr.)
157 – Mitch Messersmith (So.)
165 – Marcus Urban (Sr.)
174 – Cole Halouska (Jr.)
184 – Hunter Planansky (Fr.)
197 – Carter Max (So.)
285 – Kyle Mullaney (Fr.)