HASTINGS, Neb. – After three weeks between outings, the Concordia University Wrestling team knocked off some rust on Saturday (Jan. 8) as 14 Bulldogs represented the program at the Hastings Open in Hastings, Neb. The final yields included 13 wins and a trio of pins. Individually, Jeaven Scdoris placed fourth at 149 pounds and Issiah Burks reached the semifinals at 165.
Head Coach Myron Bradbury’s squad had been idle since hosting the Concordia Bulldog Duals on Dec. 18. The Hastings Open marked the sixth tournament of the 2021-22 season for Concordia.
“We’re learning just how youthful we are – and that’s not a bad thing,” Bradbury said. “They’re all amazing human beings and they work really, really hard. When you have an inexperienced team, you just have to keep getting out there. We’re progressing slowly but surely. We’re building good habits and competing harder. As the season goes on, the competition gets tougher. We had a lot of fun this week with training before classes start (for the second semester). We were able to keep training fresh and exciting.”
Scdoris (4-2), TJ Huber (3-2 at 174) and Burks (2-2) led the way for the Bulldogs in terms of matches won on Saturday. In the 165-pound bracket, Burks won by major decision, 10-1, over Avila University (Mo.)’s Blake Becker and by decision over Pratt Community College’s Scott Radke, 8-2. With a chance at advancing to the final, Burks was pinned by Northwestern’s Blake Pomajzl, the GPAC’s fourth-ranked 165-pounder.
As part of his run, Scdoris earned a pin of NCAA Division II Augustana University (S.D.)’s Kenneth Lenger. The Milford High School product picked up two contested wins, including one over Trey Fischbach of Dickinson State University (N.D.). Meanwhile, Huber collected a pin of Dickinson State’s Lance Kettering.
One win apiece was credited to Tracy Allen (149), Tavoris Smith (157), Jovon Howe (184) and Jack Hedke (285). Hedke’s victory came via fall over Avila’s Andrew Burnett. In sum, seven Bulldogs generated at least one win at the Hastings Open.
Said Bradbury, “Everyone is trying to help each other out. This weekend was a good way to see how things are improving against strong competition. We had fun with some intense training this week and I see us developing technique. We came out here and saw some tough guys.”
Dual action will resume next Friday (Jan. 14) when the Bulldogs (4-3, 2-2 GPAC) will be tasked with going up against No. 4 Doane (10-3, 4-0 GPAC) at 7 p.m. CT in Crete. Former Concordia Head Coach Dana Vote’s program captured the 2020-21 GPAC regular season title and is coming off a third-place finish at the National Duals.