Wrestling competes against nationally ranked teams in Desert Duals

LAS VEGAS – Concordia Wisconsin faced its most difficult competition to date this season, competing against Wayland Baptist, No. 12 North Central and No. 2 Wartburg in matches during the Desert Duals inside Flamingo Hotel.

THE BASICS
Final Scores: Wayland Baptist 37, Concordia Wisconsin 11; North Central 45, Concordia Wisconsin 0; Wartburg 52, Concordia Wisconsin 6
Location: Flamingo Hotel (Las Vegas, Nevada)

QUOTING HEAD COACH KEVIN KOCH
"I am very proud of the way we battled today and against nationally ranked teams. The score may not reflect it, but we showed up and competed hard. Moving forward, the team will benefit from this for the rest of the season."

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Concordia Wisconsin scored its most points of the day after freshman Bryan Johnson (West Allis, Wis.) won by fall in six minutes at 141 points against Wayland Baptist, while senior Eric Martinson (Milwaukee, Wis.) walked off the mat with a technical fall, 18-3, victory at 157 pounds. The Falcons dropped the contest 37-11 to the Pioneers who are receiving votes in the latest NAIA poll.
- The day continued to get tougher, as the Falcons faced North Central and was unable to get on the scoreboard during a 45-0 decision.
- The difficulty level peaked in the final dual of the afternoon against Wartburg, ranked second nationally and the defending NCAA Division III National Champions. Sophomore Merrick O'Donnell (Huntington Beach, Calif.) was the lone Falcons to earn points with a pin in one minute and nine seconds at 184 pounds.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin travels to Dubuque, Iowa on January 5 for the Jim Fox Duals. When opponents and times are available they will be posted on the Falcons schedule page.