Miami Gardens, Fla. – Dakota Wesleyan wrestling picked up a big win to start the day in the sunshine state, defeating Keiser University 32-15. The Tigers then fell against host St. Thomas University 35-20.
How it happened
DWU got off to a slow start in the opening dual against Keiser. After falling behind 9-0, the Tigers charged back with three straight match wins and 18-points on KU forfeits for the 32-9 lead. Tommy Klemesrud at 149 defeated Carlos Bogan by fall in 4:13. Tyson Johnson garnered a major decision win (12-0) over George Zertopoulis. Then Kaleb Bigelow notched a major decision win (13-5) over Adam El-Damir. Bigelow's major decision win sealed the win for the Tigers 32-15 in the first of two duals from Florida.
In Dakota Wesleyans' second dual of the day against St. Thomas, the Tigers picked up three match wins in a row from Johnson, Bigelow, and Cole Halouska. DWU fell behind early in this dual, trailing by 23 after the first four weight classes. Johnson tallied a win at 157 by tech-fall (16-0) after 3:08, putting the Tigers on the board with five points. Bigelow defeated Noel Fuentes by decision (11-7) at 165, giving the Tigers three more points as they continued to trail the Bobcats 23-8. With a fall after 5:30, Halouska defeated Christian Cobo, adding six more points to the board for DWU. Hunter Planansky also earned a win by fall after 4:20, earning the last points for the Tigers as they fall to STU 32-20.
Up next
Dakota Wesleyan wrestling will be back on their home mat Thursday, January 13, for a dual against GPAC opponent Morningside. The Tigers and Mustangs will begin the night at 5:40 p.m. introducing the parents of DWU wrestlers. The first match is set for 6 p.m. at the Christen Family Athletic Center.