Warriors Face Trio of Teams at GPAC Duals

CRETE, Neb. – (RV) Midland University's men's wrestling team competed in GPAC Duals No. 2 on Saturday at the Haddix Center. The Warriors wrestled three duals on the day, finishing 0-3 against conference competition.

Midland opened the day against (RV) Briar Cliff and fell, 30-21. Dylan Atherton picked up a 10-3 decision over Daniel Prior at 125 pounds to give the Warriors an early lead. At 133 pounds, Caden Ospina was pinned by 22nd-ranked Dante Rigal at the 0:36 mark, giving the Chargers a 6-3 advantage after two bouts.

Mason Jiminez was pinned by Logan Mainard at 1:35 in the 141-pound bout, and Midland forfeited at 149 pounds, allowing Tyson Berry to score for Briar Cliff. The Chargers led 18-3 after four bouts. Zion Amerson responded for the Warriors with a technical fall victory (16-0, 4:52) over Ayden Kelley at 157 pounds. At 165 pounds, Francisco Duran was pinned by Erik Lessears at 4:09, extending Briar Cliff's lead to 24-8.

Midland forfeited at 174 pounds, allowing Ethan Gregg to score, before 18th-ranked Nate McDonald earned a 12-1 major decision over Jeremiah Bethel at 184 pounds. After eight bouts, Briar Cliff led 30-12. Collin Stone earned a 5-1 decision over Charles Witas at 197 pounds, while Briar Cliff forfeited at 285 pounds, allowing fourth-ranked Zeph Sivels to claim the win. The Chargers secured the dual, 30-21.

The Warriors' second dual came against Waldorf, with the Warriors falling in a tight contest, 24-22. Atherton opened the dual with a 5-1 decision over Malachi Aispuro at 125 pounds. At 133 pounds, Ospina dropped an 8-7 decision to Ikuhaiakalani Akina, leaving the dual tied 3-3 after two bouts.

Jiminez was pinned by Rev Baptista at 4:23 in the 141-pound bout, and Midland forfeited at 149 pounds, allowing Noah Avila to score. Waldorf led 15-3 after four bouts. Amerson earned a 10-3 decision over Preston Ray at 157 pounds, while Francisco Duran narrowly fell to Ronald Hooten, 7-6, at 165 pounds. Waldorf led 18-6 after six bouts.

Midland forfeited at 174 pounds, allowing Daven Hames to score, before McDonald pinned Ellis Hughes at 2:17 in the 184-pound bout. After eight bouts, Waldorf led 24-12. Stone closed the dual with a 14-1 major decision over Brandon Alexander at 197 pounds, and Waldorf forfeited at 285 pounds, allowing Sivels to earn the win. Waldorf claimed the dual, 24-22.

Midland closed the day against (RV) Northwestern (Iowa), falling 35-13. Atherton capped a strong day with his third win, defeating Logan Schroeder by major decision, 11-3, at 125 pounds. At 133 pounds, Ospina was pinned by Ethan Skoglund at 0:43. Northwestern led 6-4 after two bouts.

Jiminez was pinned by eighth-ranked Noah Parmelee at 2:03 in the 141-pound bout, and Midland forfeited at 149 pounds, allowing Johnny Burnette to score. Northwestern led 18-4 after four bouts. At 157 pounds, Amerson was defeated by Cade Braun via technical fall (21-5, 5:46). Midland forfeited at 165 pounds, giving Wyatt Brice the win and extending the Red Raiders' lead to 29-4.

Both teams forfeited at 174 pounds. McDonald earned an 8-1 decision over Thomas Vance at 184 pounds before Stone was pinned by Joel Arias at 1:12 in the 197-pound bout. At 285 pounds, Sivels closed the dual with a pin of Logan Ash at 0:23. Northwestern secured the dual, 35-13.

The Warriors return to action Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21, at the GPAC Championships/NAIA Qualifier in Orange City, Iowa. Competition begins Friday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. inside the Bultman Center.