GALESBURG, Ill. - Five different Trine University wrestlers went undefeated as the team finished with a record of 2-2 at the 7th Annual Chuck Porter Duals held Saturday, January 7 at Knox College. The Thunder’s dual meet record now stands at 4-5 on the season.
In their opening match of the day, Trine easily defeated Hannibal-LaGrange 42-6. In the second round, Central (IA) just edged out the Thunder 24-16. The Thunder won five of the eight head-to-head matches, but Central took home 12 points due to the Thunder not competing in two weight classes. Trine got back on the winning side as they edged out Wisconsin-Platteville 28-27. The final match of the day one again saw the Thunder fall on the short end of the stick as Augustana won the final match of the day to earn a comeback win.
Five different Thunder wrestlers went a perfect 4-0 on the afternoon. Seniors Jason Alber (Manchester, Mich./Manchester) and George Markou (Peru, Ind./Peru), juniors Ryan Pieper (Onsted, Mich./Onsted) and All-American Elias Larson (Chicago, Ill./Marion Catholic) along with freshman Brandon Preston (Logansport, Ind./Logansport) each had outstanding days on the mats.
Alber’s finished the day with two pins in the 174 weight class, including one that came just 14.7 seconds into third period. Albers also picked up wins 4-2 and edged out his Augustana opponent 2-1.
At 165, the 12th ranked Markou picked up two pin falls including one at 1:11 of the first period against Wis.-Platteville. Markou also secured wins by scores of 9-4 and 8-1.
Pieper, ranked 8th by d3wrestle.com, picked up three wins, not allowing his opponents to gain more than three points. Pieper’s biggest win of the day came in a 14-3 decision over Augustana as he also picked up 11-3 and 5-3 head-to-head-victories and one by forfeit.
Larson, the nation’s top ranked wrestler in the 157 class, picked up two pin falls, both in the first period. Larson also easily handled his opponent from Central by a score of 10-2 while his other win came by way of forfeit.
Preston picked up two head-to-head wins including a dominating win over Augustana 20-0.
Several Trine wrestlers saw action for the first time this season. Sophomore Jim West (Berne, Ind./South Adams) picked up a win against Hannibal-LaGrange 4-1. Freshman Dan Mclean (Villa Park, Ill./Willowbrook) also picked up a win on the afternoon.
Trine will head back to action as they travel to Lycoming College for the two-day Budd Whitehill Duals beginning on January 13.
