LOUISVILLE, KY. – The No.5 Lander wrestling team finished in fifth place at the NWCA National Duals after going 4-1 overall while defeating No. 12 Indianapolis and No. 9 Upper Iowa on the second day of competition on Saturday.
All five teams Lander wrestled at the National Duals were ranked in the top 15.
No. 5 Lander (21) – No. 12 Indianapolis (18)
The Bearcats came out on fire against the Greyhounds with three straight wins. James Joplin started the dual with a dominating 19-3 tech fall before Elijah Lusk earned a 10-4 decision. Zeth Brower kept the winning ways going with a 13-0 major decision to put Lander in front 12-0.
Indianapolis came back with wins at 149 and 157 to cut into the Bearcats' lead and make it a 13-9 contest.
Lander would come back firing with three more wins starting with a 3-1 sudden victory from David Hunsberger. Hunsberger defeated Jack Eiteljorge, the No. 8 wrestler in Div. II at 165.
Jack Bond and Logan Hall would combine for a pair of wins by decision as Lander would increase its lead to 21-9.
The Greyhounds would conclude the match with nine points from the final two weight classes but would be unable to overtake the Bearcats.
No. 5 Lander 22 – No. t9 Upper Iowa (18)
Lander once again came out red hot as Joplin led the way with a 21-6 tech fall to begin action against Upper Iowa to begin a three-match win streak. Lusk followed things up with a 13-2 major decision while Brower won via a 12-3 major decision to put the Bearcats up 13-0.
The Peacocks would win at 149 and 157 to make it a 13-6 contest.
The Bearcats would respond with a 9-6 win by decision from Hunsberger.
Upper Iowa would however earn six points with a pin at 174 to creep closer to the Bearcats with the score 16-12.
Hall would scrap his way to a 2-1 win at 184 to get the momentum going back in favor of the Bearcats while Anthony Yacovetti would earn a 2-1 win of his own to seal the win for the Blue and Gold.
Upper Iowa would get six more points with a pin at 285 to conclude the match but would be unable to defeat the Bearcats.
Lander returns to SACC action with a trip to Limestone on January 13.
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