In a match of two nationally ranked teams, the Laker wrestlers were unable to defeat a strong NIACC team. The Trojans of NIACC is currently ranked 2nd in the country was able to win seven of ten matches despite a strong effort from the Lakers. Sophomore Robert Hall III who is currently 6th at 141 lbs pinned Hunter Luke who is currently ranked 2nd in the country. Freshman Deville Dentis who is ranked 8th at 149 lbs also pinned his opponent. However the most exciting match of the night was when Freshman Logan Koedam overcame a 6-0 deficit in the third period with an escape, four takedowns, and riding time he won the match 10-9.
Coach Alesch is optimistic for the remainder of the season despite the loss when he had this to say "We know that every time we wrestle a team in our conference it's going to be a battle, and you need to fight for seven minutes, that's my expectation for the team. Everybody on the team is getting better each day, they're buying in the training and things we preach day in and day out. It was great to see Logan fight some adversity, there were several times in that match where things didn't go his way, but it didn't stop him from scoring the next points. That's what we preach day in and day out and to him wrestle that way is extremely encouraging especially when we're approaching the home stretch. It was also great to see Rob get a win over a tough kid, Rob has been a very vocal leader for us all year, he has been extremely consistent in his training and his lifestyle the results on the mat are reflecting that."
The Laker wrestlers will compete again on January 18th at the MN West Open in Worthington, MN and are home again when the wrestle Iowa Western on January 21th
Photo ID: Photo of Sophomore Deville Dentis attached.
MEDIA: For more information, please contact Head Coach Cody Alesch at (712) 362-7930 or the Iowa Lakes sports information office at (712) 362-792