THUNDER FINISH 1-3 AT CHUCK PORTER DUALS

GALESBURG, Ill. - The Trine University wrestling team finished with a 1-3 record at the Chuck Porter Duals hosted by Knox College. The Thunder now have a record of 1-6 in dual meets this season.

The Thunder opened competition falling to Luther (IA) 30-15 and then 33-10 to Augustana (IL). Trine dominated Hannibal-LaGrange (MO) 44-6 for their lone win. Trine ended the competition dropping a close bout to Loras (IA) 29-18.

Senior All-American Elias Larson (Chicago, Ill./Marion Catholic) was the lone Thunder wrestler to go undefeated on the day. The top ranked wrestler at 157 pounds, Larson won three of his matches by pin. Larson started off by pinning Jake Fox of Luther at 1:15, and then defeated Kevin Sundberg of Augustana 13-3. Larson then pinned his final two opponents in nearly identical times, beating James Townsend of Hannibal-LaGrange at 1:27 and Chris Lewis of Loras at 1:30.

The trio of senior Ryan Pieper (Onsted, Mich./Onsted) and sophomores Mack Green (Buchanan, Mich./Buchanan) and Brandon Preston (Logansport, Ind./Logansport) each finished with a 3-1 record.

Pieper, the #4 ranked wrestler in the 174 weight class, defeated Jarid Groth from Luther in their opening match 5-1. Pieper’s lone loss came at the hands of #13 Matthew Burns of Augustana 6-5. Pieper would rebound defeating Nathan Downs Hannibal-LaGrange 13-4 and 20th ranked Stephan Birt of Loras 10-3.

Preston, currently ranked #26 at 125 pounds, won his opening match 4-2 over Nick Scheffert from Luther. Facing the fourth ranked wrestler in his class, Preston fell to Jake Scholton from Augustana 13-2. Preston would then win his final two matches by forfeit.

At 197 pounds, Green’s lone loss came in his first match to the #2 ranked Trent Flegel of Luther 4-2. Green then would go on to defeat Jake Melik of Augustana 4-1 and Malcom Watson from Loras 4-2. Green also took home a win by forfeit.

Freshman Nick Ader (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) turned in a solid day with a 2-2 record in the 133 division. Ader faced some very tough competition as both his losses came to nationally ranked opponents. Ader fell to fifth ranked Even Obert of Luther and #15 Nick Steger of Loras. Ader took home victories over Jimmy Panozzo from Augustana 4-2 and shutout Harry Jacobsen of Hannibal-LaGrange 13-0.

Fellow freshman Jon Blanton (Alexandria, Ind./Alexandria) also went 2-2 in the duals, defeating John Leibforth of Luther 4-3 and Tyler Sonnabend from Hannibal-LaGrange 8-6.

In the heavyweight division, junior Shane Hendrickson (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial) took home a victory over Mike Wright from  Hannibal-LaGrange 6-4.Hendrickson also faced some tough competition including the fourth ranked wrestler in his division.

The wrestlers will return to action next weekend when they travel to Williamsport, Penn. for the two-day Budd Whitehill Duals hosted by Lycoming College beginning January 11 at 9:00 a.m.