Pair of Warriors Place at Hastings Open

HASTINGS, Neb. — Midland University was one of 16 teams competing at the Hastings Open on Saturday at Hastings High School. Five Warriors took the mat, gaining valuable competition experience.

Dylan Atherton competed at 125 pounds and opened the day with a win over Gabe Martinez of Fort Hays Tech Northwest by fall at 1:43. He then suffered a technical fall loss to Kael Lauridsen of Nebraska, 19-4, at 3:00. Atherton rebounded in the consolation round with a victory over Angelo Thompson of Central Christian by fall at 4:51 before his day ended with a 10-7 decision loss to Carter Katherman of Augustana.

Caden Ospina represented Midland at 141 pounds. After receiving a first-round bye, Ospina was defeated by Konner Larkin of Valiant Prep by fall at 1:49 and later dropped a technical fall decision to Bryce Karlin of Concordia, 18-1, at 4:05.

Jeremy Felix and Collin Stone both competed at 197 pounds and earned placements for the Warriors. Felix opened with a technical fall loss to Samuel Watkins of Nebraska-Kearney, 17-2, at 5:09, before defeating Aiden Griffin of Hastings by fall at 0:49 in the consolation round. Felix then fell to Tre Daro of Nebraska-Kearney by fall at 2:17 but secured fifth place via forfeit over Hudson Oliver of Nebraska-Kearney. Stone began his day with a 14-6 major decision loss to Justyce Hostettler of Hastings and was later pinned by Torrance Keehn of Concordia at 1:06. In the seventh-place match, Stone earned a 12-6 decision victory over Griffin.

Dominick Decent competed at 285 pounds, opening with a loss to Jeremiah Vasquez of Concordia by fall at 4:38. Decent responded with a consolation-round win over Brad Christensen of Hastings by fall at 1:41 before concluding the day with a 9-1 major decision loss to Cy Renney of Concordia.

The Warriors return to action Jan. 23-24 at the Missouri Valley Invite in Marshall, Missouri. Competition begins at 10 a.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday.