Iowa Wesleyan wrestling scores big win

FOREST CITY — The Iowa Wesleyan men’s wrestling team continued a rugged 2023 schedule on Wednesday night, and despite being on the road against a team receiving votes in the NAIA Top 20 poll, the Tigers finished Wednesday night’s dual on top.

Iowa Wesleyan knocked off Waldorf 24-14, the Tigers’ second dual win of the season.

The Tigers started the match off with nine-straight points, as Lane Scorpil won the 125-pound match via 8-3 decision, and Brendan Ferenchick won by forfeit at 133. After a double forfeit at 141, the Tigers led by nine.

Lane Scorpil (pictured) and the Iowa Wesleyan men’ wrestling team took down Waldorf University on the road on Wednesday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

Iowa Wesleyan’s lead was just 9-7 after giving up a decision at 149 and a major decision at 157, but the Tigers picked up a big swing match at 165, as Austin Abitua scrapped to a 3-2 decision.

Waldorf won the next two matches, and Iowa Wesleyan found itself down 14-12 heading into the 197-pound bout. Elias Cordero then had the only pin of the night, taking down Waldorf’s Jackson Rickter in 1 minute, 24 seconds for an enormous six points.

Waldorf had to forfeit the 285-pound match, which meant The Tigers ended the night by taking the final 12 points of the match.

The Tigers have already wrestled against (RV) Central Methodist University and Cornell College this January, and they will continue their tough schedule next week.

On Tuesday, the Tigers will travel to Oskaloosa to play (RV) William Penn University in a Heart of America dual.