Warriors bring down Oles on Senior Night
By Matt Oliver
FOREST CITY – The Waldorf College men’s wrestling team took care of business on Senior Night, claiming a 33-15 victory over St. Olaf College on Wednesday.
Freshmen Kyle Penalosa (125 pounds) and Zach Milks (157) each secured falls while sophomore Jacob Pinedo (285) earned a 12-6 decision for the Warriors (2-6).
“For the most part, a lot of guys wrestled well,” Waldorf coach Brad Stockton said.
Penalosa (4-10) was on the attack from the get-go, making quick work of Guillermo Gorrin with a pin in 43 seconds.
“Kyle looked really good, better than he has all year,” Stockton said. “He looked easier going, relaxed, went out and wrestled.”
Milks (6-9) also took control of his match early, scoring the fall over Jesse Leamon in 2 minutes, 3 seconds.
“Zach looked strong,” Stockton said. “He’s in a tough weight this year nationally speaking, but he’s just going to keep getting better.”
Pinedo (7-4) was in command after opening his bout with 10 straight points. It became a tussle as Troy Beaman turned the match into an endurance test down the stretch.
“He had two flurries and he was winded,” Stockton said. “Everyone’s going to get tired, but he has to learn how to finish a match and work through it.”
Sophomore Jacob Adams (133), junior Andres Torres (141) and senior Dirk McOmber (197) each won by forfeit to help the Warriors bring down NCAA Division III’s Oles (0-7). Adams improved to 1-7 on the season, Torres made his Waldorf debut and McOmber upped his record to 4-2.
Senior Dario Gamino (149) came up short, losing a 5-2 decision to St. Olaf’s Bryant Ridgeway. Gamino (1-4) was on the offensive before Ridgeway capitalized to earn the upper hand.
“He came out strong,” Stockton said. “He was in on his second shot. It’s something we’ve talked about all year is when he’s on a leg to stay on a leg. He kind of went for broke, ended up in a scramble and the kid came out on top. That was a turning point in the match.”
Sophomore Austin Roys (174) moved up a weight class for the Warriors. Roys (3-7) lost by fall to Garrett Beaman in 1:05. St. Olaf’s Hugh Ellerman (184) found himself in a battle with freshman Kegan Thomas (1-3) before pinning down the win in 6:05.
The dual victory marked the final home meet for Ryan Dugger, Jarred Becker, Gamino and McOmber. Throughout their careers, the group of seniors has helped set the tone for the Warriors.
“Every year, seniors leave and it’s all about how you’re going to replace them and a lot of times you can’t,” Stockton said. “They’re great leaders on and off the mat. They’re not afraid to call out a teammate. It’s good to have them around.”
Waldorf’s freshmen and sophomores compete in Saturday’s Worthington Open, starting at 9 a.m. at Worthington, Minnesota.
“It’s a freshman-sophomore tournament, so it’s nice for guys who are in a rough patch to wrestle against someone their age,” Stockton said.
The Warriors also go to work in this weekend’s Missouri Valley College Invitational, opening the two-day tournament in Marshall, Missouri on Friday at 5 p.m.
“This weekend will test a lot of guys,” Stockton said. “You have to wrestle well enough the first day to advance to the second day.”