Wesleyan wrestling secures home win

MT. PLEASANT — The Iowa Wesleyan wrestling team hasn’t seen much action on its home floor this season, but Wednesday night gave the Tigers a chance to show their stuff in front of a home crowd for only the second time since the program’s inception.

In its second home meet of the season, Iowa Wesleyan picked up its first win at Ruble Arena, a 27-17 victory over Waldorf College, which doubled as the first time the Tigers have won at home since crowds returned to the stands.

“It’s a good step in the right direction, especially for this year,” said Iowa Wesleyan assistant coach Jake Kadel, who has been heading up the team after a recent coaching change. “Our kids and this program have undergone a lot of adversity this year.”

The Tigers had five wins including two pins and one forfeit to secure the victory. The pins belonged to Kyle Thibodeaux, at 133 pounds, and Austin Abitua, at 165.

Thibodeaux prevailed in the first action of the night on the mats, winning in just 1 minute, 30 seconds. Abitua’s pin came in just 29 seconds.

149-pounder Francisco Mendez picked up a major decision at 149 pounds. Caelen Shannon won by technical fall at 174.

“I think overall we had a pretty good showing,” Kadel said. “Obviously, we still have a lot to work on, but so does everybody.”

The Tigers will be back at Ruble Arena next Wednesday, when they host Saint Ambrose University at 6 p.m.

Iowa Wesleyan 27, Waldorf University 17

125 Double Forfeit 0-0

133 Kyle Thibodeaux (IW) over Alfredo Moreno (WU) Fall 1:30 6-0

141 Tyler Okada (WU) over Ray Hernandez (IW) MD 12-3 6-4

149 Francisco Mendez (IW) over Dalton Thorson (WU) MD 13-3 10-4

157 Jalon Strong (WU) over Brent Ward (IW) MD 13-4 10-8

165 Austin Abitua (IW) over Anthony Salvo (WU) Fall 0:29 16-8

174 Caelen Shannon (IW) over Cristian Martinez (WU) TF 18-0 21-8

184 Javis Krieger (IW) wins by forfeit Forfeit 27-8

197 Izaiah Ieramia (WU) over Elias Cordero (IW) Fall 5:50 27-14

285 Donte Wood (WU) over Wyatt Nelson (IW) Dec. 6-2 27-17