CRETE, Neb. – After claiming a GPAC dual win at Midland earlier this week, the Concordia University Wrestling team traveled to Crete for competition at the Doane University Open. In tournament action, five Bulldogs combined for ten wins on Saturday (Dec. 5). The event included wrestlers from 11 institutions, including seven GPAC squads.
Head Coach Levi Calhoun’s group has now competed in three tournaments and three duals (2-1 overall) this season. Currently, Concordia is ranked third in the GPAC and is receiving votes in the NAIA national poll.
Freshmen Mason Garcia (197) and Jacob Telles (285) starred for the Bulldogs on Saturday. Garcia started his day with a bye before pinning Terungwa Unongo of Doane in the quarterfinals to grab a victory. Although Garcia lost by decision in the first semifinal, he bounced back with a win in the consolation semifinal. Garcia dropped his third-place contest to finish in fourth place.
Telles was solid as usual in his outings. He has now run his season record to 14-3 by winning four of five bouts at the Doane Open. Telles will likely move up from fourth in the next GPAC individual ratings after his performance. Telles scored an impressive 3-1 victory of GPAC No. 3 Ramiro Macias of Jamestown in the fourth round.
While Garcia and Telles combined for seven wins, three other Bulldogs recorded wins: Timothy Huber (174) and Carter Willis (125) each recorded a win apiece. While Issiah Burks (157) won two matches, pinning his opponents in both.
The field in Crete included opponents from Dakota Wesleyan, Doane, Grand View (Iowa), Hannibal LaGrange (Mo.), Hastings, Jamestown, Midland, Morningside, Waldorf University (Iowa) and York.
Next week the Bulldogs will be back in the friendly confines of Friedrich Arena as they host Morningside College on Thursday (Dec. 10) in the first home dual of the season. Start time is set for 7 p.m. CT.