SEWARD, Neb. – The conference season will get started early for the 18th-ranked Concordia University wrestling team. Co-defending champion, the Bulldogs are readying to host Northwestern at 7 p.m. CT on Friday in a GPAC dual. Both squads have at least one tournament under their belts to begin the 2019-20 campaign.
Dual Info
(18) Concordia (0-0) vs. Northwestern (0-0)
7 p.m. CT | Walz Arena | Seward, Neb.
Live Webcast: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/cun/
Head coach Levi Calhoun’s squad won seven of its eight GPAC duals during its 2018-19 championship run. Dating back to the start of the 2014-15 season, the Concordia wrestling program boasts a GPAC record of 33-4 with four regular-season titles and three postseason championships. The Bulldogs are ranked first in the conference to begin this season. Currently, seven Concordia grapplers are ranked nationally. In addition, seven Bulldogs are also rated in the top two of the GPAC in their respective weight classes.
The Bulldogs began their season last week at the Dakota Wesleyan University Open where 20 Concordia wrestlers combined for three place finishes and 29 victories. The three place finishers were Mario Ybarra (third at 125), Chris Kimball (fourth at 141) and Zack Moistner (fifth at 133). Kimball and Ybarra led the way by claiming five wins apiece. Ybarra picked up a notable 2-1 win over No. 12 Braedon Clopton of Briar Cliff while Kimball and Moistner earned multiple triumphs apiece over NCAA Division II foes. Michael Stann (36-15) and two-time GPAC champion Deandre Chery (35-11) were the team’s wins leaders last season.
Head coach Rik Dahl’s squad went 5-3 in GPAC duals last season and tied for fourth place in the conference. The Red Raiders then placed fifth at the GPAC tournament and 34th at the NAIA national tournament. Northwestern returns three 2019 NAIA national qualifiers in D’rell Gist (197), Andrew Null (165) and Dante Preciado (149). All three earned national rankings this preseason with Null slotting in as the NAIA’s fourth-rated 165-pounder. Concordia assistant coach Tyree Cox was a two-time national qualifier for the Red Raiders and served on their coaching staff for three seasons.
After Friday’s action, the Bulldogs will have the rest of the weekend off. Concordia will hit the mats again on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the University of Nebraska-Kearney Open.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
Concordia
125 – No. 14 Mario Ybarra
133 – No. 10 Zack Moistner
141 – No. 10 Chris Kimball or No. 15 Gad Huseman
149 – No. 10 Chris Kimball or No. 15 Gad Huseman
157 – Gabriel Crawford
165 – Issiah Burks
174 – No. 12 Deandre Chery
184 – Blake Castillo
197 – Oscar Ramirez-Garcia or CJ Laabs
285 – No. 12 Michael Stann
Northwestern
125 – Noah Kryfka or Sean Heeney
133 – Noah Kryfka or Sean Heeney
141 – No. 19 Dante Preciado
149 – Austin Hendrickson
157 – Blake Pomajzl
165 – No. 4 Andrew Null
174 – Dylan Costello
184 – Luke Jenness or Tyler Zeimen
197 – No. 9 D’rell Gist
285 – Skyler Bonestroo