SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The regulars in the Concordia University wrestling dual lineup took a break on Saturday, but 15 Bulldogs scrapped at the Dave Edmonds Open hosted in Sioux City, Iowa, by Morningside. Concordia turned in 18 total wins and advanced two individuals two the semifinals in their respective brackets.
First-year head coach Andrew Nicola’s squad was fresh off Thursday’s 23-10 home dual victory over Briar Cliff.
Freshmen Deandre Chery (174) and Gabe Crawford (157) made the biggest noise among Bulldogs in the field in Sioux City. Chery stampeded to the semifinals of his weight class by pinning each of his first three opponents. He was then upended in a semifinal clash by Dylan Blackford of Grand View University (Iowa). Crawford began his day with a win by technical fall and then squeaked out a triumph in sudden victory. His two losses came against NCAA Division I opponents.
Eleven of the 15 grapplers sporting Bulldog singlets recorded at least one win on the day. Six of those 11 posted multiple wins, including Chery (3-2), Crawford (2-2), Kyle Carey (2-2), Darrin Miller (2-2), Demitrius Miller (2-2) and Alexander Reimers (2-2).
The most significant dual of the 2016-17 season awaits on Thursday (Feb. 9) when the Bulldogs will also celebrate senior night. With a win over Hastings (11-4, 5-1 GPAC) on Thursday, Concordia would lock up its third-straight outright conference dual championship. Winner of 20-straight GPAC duals, the Bulldogs have already clinched a share of the GPAC title. Meanwhile, the Broncos are aiming to get a piece of the title. Their only conference loss came by a 19-18 score versus Morningside (5-1 GPAC).