SEWARD, Neb. – The GPAC’s top two dual teams from last season are set to meet on Thursday at the HPER Fieldhouse in Sioux City, Iowa. The action is slated to get started at 7 p.m. CT. The Concordia University wrestling team enters the matchup ranked 19th in the NAIA while host Morningside checks in just outside of the top 20. Live video for the dual will be available HERE.
Head coach Levi Calhoun’s squad last competed on Nov. 23 when the University of Nebraska-Kearney hosted its annual tournament. The Bulldogs opened up their dual season on Nov. 15 with a 29-10 home victory over Northwestern. The victory over Northwestern was a continuation of Concordia’s run of success in conference duals. Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the Bulldogs are 34-4 in conference duals. That stretch included three-straight seasons of 7-0 GPAC dual records from 2014-15 through 2016-17. The run also has included four GPAC regular-season titles and three GPAC/NAIA North Qualifier championships.
The Mustangs prevented Concordia from winning the outright GPAC regular-season title last season by knocking off the Bulldogs, 27-12, inside Walz Arena. Morningside won seven of 10 matches. Bulldogs who claimed triumphs were Alberto Garcia (decision at 133), Blake Castillo (pin at 165) and Walker Fisher (decision at 174). Both Concordia and Morningside went 7-1 last season in conference duals.
The projected lineup for the Bulldogs on Thursday includes seven wrestlers who appear in the NAIA national rankings. A showdown between the GPAC’s top two-rated heavyweights is expected take place. Nationally, Phil Rasmussen is ranked eighth and Michael Stann is rated 14th at heavyweight. The Mustangs also possess the conference’s top-rated competitor at 157 in Kyle Fowler. Two Concordia grapplers appear at No. 1 in the GPAC: Mario Ybarra (125) and Deandre Chery (174).
Following Thursday’s action, the Bulldogs will place their attention upon Saturday’s Doane University Open in Crete (9 a.m. start). The event will mark the third tournament of the season for Concordia, which opened the season with the Dakota Wesleyan University Open. Ybarra has earned place finishes at the campaign’s first two tournaments.
Concordia probable lineup
125 – No. 13 Mario Ybarra (9-3)
133 – No. 11 Zack Moistner (4-4)
141 – No. 9 Chris Kimball (7-3)
149 – No. 19 Cam Devers (0-0)
157 – Gabe Crawford (3-4)
165 – Issiah Burks (1-5)
174 – No. 11 Deandre Chery (3-2)
184 – No. 19 Darrin Miller (2-2)
197 – Jason Watkins (2-2)
285 – No. 14 Michael Stann (1-2)
Morningside in national rankings
157 – No. 9 Kyle Fowler
197 – No. 15 Jacob Wiley
285 – No. 8 Phil Rasmussen