KEARNEY, Neb. – In a tournament that annually provides some of its toughest competition, the Concordia University wrestling team combined for 21 victories on Saturday (Nov. 23). The Younes Hospitality Open hosted by the University of Nebraska-Kearney took place at Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney, Neb., and featured nearly 600 wrestlers spread across 16 mats. Eighteen Bulldogs competed with Mario Ybarra’s fifth-place claim at 125 pounds serving as the team’s biggest highlight.
Second-year head coach Levi Calhoun’s squad had been idle since its 29-10 dual victory over Northwestern on Nov. 15. Concordia also took part in the Dakota Wesleyan Open on Nov. 9.
“It’s a little disappointing that we didn’t have more placers, but the good things are that we know what we need to work on,” Calhoun said. “We got exposed a little bit in some areas. We get to take this back to the wrestling room, work on some stuff and get better. Overall we’re not satisfied. We’re going to have to get better if we want to win a conference title and accomplish our goals.”
A Scottsbluff native, 13th-ranked Ybarra was one of seven Bulldogs to compete in the “elite” division. The tournament also included an “amateur” division, which contained 11 Concordia representatives. Ybarra came away with three victories, including a 6-3 triumph over Ethan Cota of NCAA Division II Augustana College (S.D.). He defeated an opponent from Colorado Mesa University in the fifth-place match. One of Ybarra’s two defeats was a 3-1 overtime decision at the hands of Baker University’s Emmanuel Browne, ranked fifth in the NAIA at 125.
Ybarra’s record now stands at 9-3 overall. He also claimed third place at the Dakota Wesleyan Open.
“He’s definitely made a lot of improvements,” Calhoun said. “We sing his praises because he does the right things. He’s become a better wrester, listening to his coaches and perfecting his wrestling. He competed really tough today and dropped a couple close ones. He’s a smart wrestler and fun to watch.”
Three additional Concordia wins were claimed in the elite division with one apiece delivered by senior Blake Castillo at 174, junior Gabe Crawford at 157 and senior Chris Kimball at 141. Fifteen Bulldog victories were put on the board in the amateur division. At heavyweight, Demetrius Miller collected three wins, including two by pin. Five Concordia grapplers notched exactly two triumphs: freshman Giancarlo Facio (125), freshman Clayton Laabs (197), senior Chris James (285), freshman Carter Kucera (133) and junior Jason Watkins (165).
Other elite division competitors were sophomore Issiah Burks (157), senior Zack Moistner (133) and sophomore Michael Stann (285).
Next up on the slate is a dual at Morningside at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday, Dec. 5. The Bulldogs and Mustangs were co-regular season GPAC champions in 2018-19. It will be the first dual of the season for Morningside.