SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs traveled to Sioux City, Iowa for the GPAC Duals #2, facing three separate conference opponents on Saturday (Jan. 27). Concordia started with a victory against Northwestern, 33-11, then dropped two back to back heartbreakers versus Briar Cliff, 22-20, and Jamestown, 29-21. With two pinfall wins, against Northwestern and Jamestown, Barrett Brandt ties the Concordia all-time single season record for pins with 21. No. 8 Creighton Baughman extended his dual undefeated streak (13-0), winning all three matches at the Long Lines Recreation Center.
With a 1-2 day, the Dawgs have an overall dual record of 7-6 and a 3-4 conference record. Head Coach Chase Clasen commented on the different duals and how bonus wins matter down the stretch.
“We wrestled good in the dual against Northwestern. We had a lot of really close matches. Hunter (Weimer) took a ranked wrestler into overtime. For the most part, during that duel we battled. In both of the last two duels, it comes down to one match. We stressed all week that, it’s going to come down to bonus. The teams we faced did a little better job getting that (bonus), but we got to bounce back and wrestle hard.”
Concordia ran out to an early lead over the Red Raiders with a Bryson Bussinger (125) pin. The Dawgs continued the run with Baughman (Major Decision-141), Tracey Allen (Decision-149), Jeaven Scdoris (Open-157), Brandt (Pin-165) and Duffy (Major Decision-174). After Weimer battled with No. 12 Luke Jenness, Jeremiah Vasquez (285) won by major decision (12-4) over NWC.
CUNE fell behind, 9-0, after two matches against Briar Cliff, but relied on 8th-ranked Baughman to score a pin, putting them right back in the dual. Every point mattered, as Coach Clasen alluded to and the middle of the lineup, stepped up and delivered wins. Scdoris and Duffy garnered wins by major decision, while Brandt and Weimer collected wins by decision. Duffy went an unbeaten 2-0 on the day. Now up 20-15, the Chargers finish with two wins (Decision and Major Decision) taking the two point lead in the final bout.
After falling out of the gate (10-0) against Jamestown, Baughman took control once again, taking bonus points with a pin and completing a 3-0 day at the GPAC Duals. After two more falters, Brandt would not be denied. His 21st pin of the year over Jahn Williams was to tie the record of Alex Stepanek (2011-12). The Syracuse, Neb., native would clamp down at the 2:49 mark in the bout, completing an unbeaten (3-0) day in Sioux City.
Clasen said, “It’s fantastic to have a freshman (Brandt) go out and tie the pin record. He wants to break it and we are hoping it happens. We want pinners. We want guys who go out and get bonus. The biggest thing about him, is the mentality. He is always looking to pin. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first second of the first period or the last second of the third period.”
Duffy (174) would have an open, as Weimer earned a decision, putting the Dawgs up 21-19. With Mason Garcia out with injury, Teegan Schampel (197) would give it his all, but fell short. Concordia wouldn’t be able to make up ground in the final match.
The Bulldogs will have two duals left before the all important GPAC tournament. They will host Colby Community College (Kan.) in Friedrich Arena on Feb. 2. First match is set for 6 p.m. CT.