LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Adrian College men's wrestling traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to compete in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Duals this weekend. Due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, the much larger tournament was shrunk down to only 15 teams. The Bulldogs began the day wrestling University of Wisconsin-La Crosse followed by Springfield College, and No. 1 Coe College. The Bulldogs finished 1-2 on the day with losses to UW-La Crosse and Coe to get knocked out of the tournament.
The Bulldogs struggled against UW-La Crosse losing 37-3 to begin the day. Adrian lost by decision four times, by major decision twice, by tech fall once, and by fall twice. The lone win in the match came from
Isaiah Espinoza at 285 as he won by a 7-1 decision. After the opening round loss, the Bulldogs dropped to the consolation bracket.
Adrian bounced back against Springfield College with a come-from-behind win by a score of 25-24. After losing the first five bouts, Adrian was lights out the rest of the way.
Zach Altman grabbed the team's first win with a win by fall in the first period.
Derick Duvall followed it up with a 5-3 win by decision at 174 followed by a win by forfeit at 184.
Dylan Wellbaum recorded a pin in the first period putting the Bulldogs within three. Espinoza tied the match 24-24 with a 5-1 win by decision. Adrian held the tie breaker at the end of the dual to come away with a the 25-24 victory to advance.
After an upset in the second round of the championship bracket, No. 1 Coe moved down to face Adrian. The Bulldogs began the dual with a 6-0 lead with a win by forfeit at 125. Cor won the next four bouts including two by fall to go up 20-6.
Zach Altman picked up a win by fall to add the Adrian's score, but it couldn't be followed up at 174 as Coe won by major decision.
Blake Williams won a high scoring bout by decision at 184 by a score of 18-12. At 197, Wellbaum added four points with a major decision by a score of 17-9 to put Adrian within five. Coe came away with the 285 bout to lock up the victory at 30-19 ending the tournament for the Bulldogs.
Adrian returns to action on Saturday, January 15 at the MIAA Championships hosted by Trine University. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM.
