FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Junior Walker Fisher continued a nice junior season with a perfect run at the annual NWCA National Duals in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Thursday (Jan. 4). Meanwhile, the Concordia University wrestling team salvaged its stay at the War Memorial Coliseum with a 34-5 win over William Penn University (Iowa). The victory followed losses to seventh-ranked Life University (Ga.), 43-3, and to conference rival Midland, 27-12.
Second-year head coach Andrew Nicola’s 19th-ranked squad concludes the week with an overall record of 4-5 this season in dual meets.
Fisher (16-5) stood out as a bright spot on a day when the Bulldogs were at a disadvantage due to multiple open weights. The nation’s 19th-ranked 174-pounder claimed victories by decision over Anthony Carter of Life, Cooper Self of Midland and Jason Beebe of William Penn. Fisher was responsible for three of the team’s 12 individual triumphs on the day.
The most recent GPAC wrestler of the week, Jared Woods rebounded after being defeated by major decision in the dual against Life. He turned in one of the day’s highlight victories with a decision over Midland’s Dominique Evans, the NAIA’s No. 19 rated grappler at 149 pounds. Evans wrestled up a weight at 157.
Concordia picked up its only two pins of the day in the victory over William Penn. Cameron Devers (141) wiped out Joe Eads in 4:16 before Kirk Kaliszewski (165) took care of Dylan Comstock in 1:19. Additionally, 125-pounder Jerry Stepps III notched one of his two wins on the day and Cody Lambert collected a victory by technical fall at 149 pounds. Stepps upset No. 12 John Altieri of William Penn. The Bulldogs won all eight contested matches over the Statesmen.
Next up for the Bulldogs will be another dual with Midland. This time the Warriors (3-3, 2-1 GPAC) will visit Walz Arena for a conference matchup set for 7 p.m. CT next Friday (Jan. 12). Concordia will put its GPAC dual win streak of 22 on the line in front of its home fans.