In their first ICCAC match of the season, the Laker wrestlers prevailed against the Panthers of Ellsworth. In a matchup between two top ten teams the #2 Lakers were able to win six of ten matches.
In the first match of the night returning national qualifier, and 8th ranked Kevin Saravia found himself trail early in the match after giving up a quick takedown. However, Kevin was able to reverse his opponent and score an overwhelming amount of points and eventually winning by technical fall giving the Lakers a 5-0 lead.
At 133 freshman Tykwan Joyner found himself in a barnburner of a match in his first college dual. After exchanging escapes, Tykwan was takedown down and found himself losing 3-1. His opponent was able to hold him off the flurry of attacks from Tykwan and end the match with the lead. The Lakers, however, were still winning the dual 5-3 going into the 141 lbs bout.
Tracy Davis was able to capitalize off several takedowns on his feet, as well as near fall points from the top position. This plethora of offensive points was enough to give him a 9-5 victory extending the Lakers lead to 8-3.
At 149 lbs Anthony Fisher, who is ranked 4th at 141 lbs, found himself in a tight match. Going into the third period the scored was tied 2-2. Anthony was unable to score, and his opponent was able to gain the riding time advantage scoring a decisive 3rd point. Going into 157 lbs the Lakers lead 8-6.
At 157 lbs the aggressive attacks from the number one ranked wrestler in the country, David Hollingsworth III, was too much for his opponent. David was able to pin his opponent in the first period exciting the home crowd, extending the Lakers lead to 14-6.
At 165 lbs 8th ranked Evyn Insalaco used of a variety of takedowns and turns on top that proved to be too much for his opponent. The Redshirt Sophmore was able to secure a technical fall for the Lakers extending the lead 19-6 going to 174 lbs.
Returning All-American, and 3rd ranked Bunmi Smith found himself in a battle that would go down to the wire. Although Bumni had a variety of takedowns through the match his opponent was able to chip away at his lead throughout the match but Bunmi prevailed giving the Lakers their third win in a row.
The bout at 184 lbs proved to be the match of the night as freshman Steven Raines battled the 3rd ranked wrestler in the country. Raines found himself down two points with time winding down, however, Raines took down his opponent tieing the match at the end of regulation. In overtime, both wrestlers were able to escape. Going into the final tiebreaker Raines was unable to take his opponent losing 6-5 in triple overtime.
Going into the 197 lbs bout the Lakers lead the Panthers 22-9. Freshman Dawson Troxel made in debut for the Lakers, where his opponent from Ellsworth was able to win by fall. Going into the final match of the night the Lakers lead 22-15.
At heavyweight, Andre Bissainthe was able to capitalize on his opponent's shots, score multiple takedowns. The combination of takedowns and an escape was too much for the Panther wrestler as Andre won 5-1. Giving the Lakers a 25-15 victory.
Head coach Cody Alesch was pleased with his team's performance and had this to say "Overall I was very pleased with their performance tonight. Anything you can win a dual against a strong team like Ellsworth there's going to be a handful of strong performances. What important now is that we build off this win and keep getting better." The Lakers take the mat again on Saturday in Des Moines at the Grandview Open where wrestling starts at 9.
