Warriors secure victory over Jimmies
By Matt Oliver
FREMONT, Neb. – The Waldorf College men’s wrestling team secured a win over the University of Jamestown while battling in three duals on Friday.
Midland University (4-3), ranked No. 12 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) poll, won 44-5 over the Warriors (1-5) in the opening dual.
Waldorf pulled out a 29-27 victory over Jamestown (3-6), fending off a Jimmies team that is receiving votes in the NAIA poll. The Warriors fell short in a 30-16 loss to No. 18 Wayland Baptist University (6-3) in the final dual of the night.
Junior Keno Jenkins (165 pounds) kept his winning streak intact, winning all three of his matches. Jenkins (11-0) rolled past Midland’s Joseph Aguila with a 21-5 technical fall in 6 minutes, 44 seconds and notched an 18-3 technical fall over Jamestown’s Zachary Pickering in 3:26. He made short work of Wayland Baptist’s Brian O’Shaughnessy, scoring a fall in 1:02.
“Keno wrestled really well,” Waldorf coach Brad Stockton said. “He looked good on his feet and started turning kids a little bit more to pick up more back points.”
Senior Dirk McOmber (197) returned from an early-season injury and made his season debut for Waldorf with a pair of victories. McOmber (2-0) received a forfeit against Jamestown and took command with a 14-2 major decision against Wayland Baptist’s David Willoughby.
“Dirk controlled the match,” Stockton said. “He did a great job. He scored when he needed to and got back points. It was a great win for him.”
Senior D’Monte Aursby (174) won two of his three bouts for the Warriors. Midland’s top-ranked Tyler McMichael walked away with an 8-0 major decision against Aursby, who is a returning national qualifier recovering from knee surgery.
“He wrestled a little tentative at first and had some opportunities that were there,” Stockton said. “It was a very winnable match for him,” Stockton said. “I’m sure he’ll run into him against in the Missouri Valley Invitational [in January].”
Aursby (3-2) bounced back, pinning Jamestown’s Austin Helmer in 1:57 and locked up a 6-4 decision over Wayland Baptist’s Tommy Rosen-St. John.
“I think once he gets back on the mat a little bit more and is healthy, he’s only going to get stronger,” Stockton said.
Waldorf freshmen Kyle Penalosa (125), Zach Milks (157) and sophomore Jacob Pinedo (285) each registered wins in one of three matches.
Midland’s Hugo Perez earned a 14-0 major decision over Penalosa (2-7). Against Jamestown’s Jesus Barajas, Penalosa led by six points until late in the match. Barajas prevailed by fall in 5:45. Penalosa ended the night with a 9-3 decision over Wayland Baptist’s Jacob Campa.
“He came back strong against Wayland and put together a really strong performance,” Stockton said. “He made smarter decisions. He’s right there, but it’s just getting over the hump.”
Midland’s Tyler Willis edged Milks (3-7) in an 8-7 decision. Milks trailed 6-0 early in the match, but put up a fight down the stretch.
“Getting him off to a strong start is going to be the difference,” Stockton said. “Once he sees where he’s at and notices little mistakes, he’s going to be right there in every match. He got stronger as the night went on.”
Milks pinned Jamestown’s Justin Folsom in 5:58. He came up short, losing an 8-5 decision to Wayland Baptist’s 13th-ranked Victor Thomas.
Midland’s Maury Lemons took a 9-2 decision from Pinedo (5-4), who rebounded with a fall over Jamestown’s Zach Wardle in 2:34. Wayland Baptist’s 12th-ranked Markese Christian held off Pinedo in a 5-2 decision.
“He’s still got things to work on,” Stockton said. “We’ve got to get him going on his feet. He’s got to be pushing the pace a little bit more and wearing them out.”
Sophomore Jacob Adams (133) wrestled in all three duals for the Warriors. Midland’s David Berg put together a 58-second fall over Adams (0-4), who ended up on the wrong side of a 5-1 decision against Jamestown’s Stuart Brandt. Wayland Baptist’s eighth-ranked Andrew Porras pinned Adams in 1:47.
Waldorf freshman Kegan Thomas (184) made his collegiate debut. Thomas (0-2) lost by fall to Midland’s Asiah Dyer in 2:50 and was pinned by Jamestown’s Matthew Hernandez in 3:42 after sustaining an injury.
Senior Ryan Dugger (197) also competed for the Warriors. In his only match, Dugger (1-3) lost by fall to Midland’s Adam Ball in five minutes.
Waldorf surrendered forfeits at 141 and 149 in the first two duals. Additionally, the Warriors forfeited at 184 in the final dual.
Waldorf returns to competition on Dec. 5 in the Buena Vista Open at Storm Lake, beginning at 9 a.m. The break in action allows the Warriors to heal some injuries as they prepare for the final tournament before 2016.
“It couldn’t come at a better time,” Stockton said. “I tell these guys we’ve got a week off, but they’ve got to get some work in. I look forward to a Buena Vista tournament that’s going to be really tough. It’s always nice to wrestle well there and end the semester on a high note.”