Falcons Compete in Gator ‘Boots’ Duals

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – The Concordia wrestling team traveled to Hendersonville, Tennessee on Saturday, participating in the Gator 'Boots' Duals in the team's final action before a break over Christmas.

The Falcons opened the duals against the Manchester Spartans in the schools' first meeting since 2014. The Spartans jumped out to a quick 8-0 advantage by way of a technical fall and a decision before the Falcons strung together three consecutive wins to take the lead. Junior Corey Bagby (Salem, N.J.) picked up a 17-1 technical fall in 3:56, while freshman Cole Ramos (Kenosha, Wis.) and senior Carson Cook (Las Vegas, Nev.) both won by first-period falls.

However, Manchester returned the favor in the two ensuing bouts, as two technical falls granted the Spartans a one-point lead. As has been the theme for the young season, Concordia's heavier weights proved to stay consistent and reliable, as seniors Jonathan Pullen (Joliet, Ill.), Peyton Smith (Milwaukee, Wis.), and Cam Mercer (Glenview, Ill.) won their three matches to end the dual for the Falcons. The 34-18 win for Concordia marked the team's first dual victory of the season.

The second contest of the event saw the Falcons take on the Trine Thunder. Junior Devin Gore (Plymouth, Wis.) put Concordia on the scoreboard first by way of a technical fall, but the Thunder seized control of the dual, winning the next six bouts. Once again, Concordia dominated the final set of matches, as junior Jeremy Pullen (Joliet, Ill.), Smith, and sophomore Seth Elliott (Long Beach, Calif.) notched victories by fall, technical fall, and major decision, respectively. Ultimately, the late effort was not enough to overcome Trine's string of wins, as the Thunder took a 29-20 victory.

The Falcons battled the Huntingdon Hawks for the first time in the third dual of the day, which saw Gore once again start Concordia with an advantage. The Hawks would go on to win the next two matches before Ramos and Cook drew the Falcons back to even. The two squads traded the next four bouts, which included wins from sophomore Reuben Vasquez (Westminster, Calif.) and Smith by major decision and fall. The dual would end up coming down to a winner-take-all heavyweight match, which Huntingdon took to snatch a 27-22 victory.

In the final dual of the day, Luther topped Concordia 47-6. The contest saw Jonathan Pullen secure his second win of the day after a quick fall victory in the first period.

The Falcons will be back on the mats on Friday, January 5 to participate in the NWCA National Duals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.