CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The fifth ranked Coe College (8-1) wrestling team lost 24-12 in a close dual to their conference rival and top ranked team Wartburg (13-0) on Thursday. The two teams went head-to-head in front of a packed crowd.
“It’s never fun losing,” Junior Josh Gerke said, “but this was one of the best home environments I’ve wrestled in my past three years here. The crowd was into the meet from start to finish.”
The dual started off with a close match at the 125-weight class between Freshman Alex Friddle (COE) and Junior Brady Kyner (WART). Friddle took the lead early, up 5-3 going into the 3rd period when Kyner used his experience to get a takedown and hold the lead. Kyner won the match 6-5 after ride time points were awarded. This early victory gave Wartburg a 3-0 lead.
Another close match at the 133-weight class gave Wartburg a 6-0 lead after senior Amier Khamis (COE) couldn’t get a lead against Sophomore Kristian Rumph (WART).
Wartburg continued to dominate the dual until Junior Josh Gerke (COE) tech felled Sophomore Zayren Terukina and gave Coe momentum after falling down 9-0.
“After Gerke won, the environment changed completely. He gave us some hope, the crowd hope,” Coach Oostendorp said, “We lost a few close ones early and when you are facing the number one team in the country, you can’t let those ones get away if you want to win.”
Coe’s next win would come at 174 when Freshman Tristin Westphal won by decision over Freshman Paul Cato 3-2. Tristin had a match-winning take down early in the 3rd and road Cato out until the end of the period to clinch the victory.
Coe’s last victory of the night was at 197 when 2nd ranked Senior Taylor Mehman would take on 3rd ranked Kobe Woods. This match would come down to the 3rd period as many of the matches did when Mehman got a reversal after starting down to take the lead 3-1. Mehman is a favorite to compete for a National Title this year.
“The final score didn’t show the results you would have seen if you were at the meet,” said Assistant Coach Gotto, “There was three or four matches that we were ahead until the last period and it’s just the little things we need to work on. Our team will continue to get better and hope we can face Wartburg again when it matters at the end.”
The loss drops Coe’s record to 8-2 and will travel to face off against Cornell College on Friday, February 7th.
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