Tiger wrestlers take down Midland before falling to Hastings

Two days after competing at the Lindenwood Open in St. Charles, MO, the No. 8-ranked Cowley College wrestling team returned to the mat to take down Midland University (NE) 24-18 Monday night in Fremont, NE. However, later on Monday, Cowley would suffer its first dual loss of the season as they were shorthanded in a 41-15 defeat to Hastings College (NE).

The match vs. Midland had five open weights and was tied at 18-18 heading into the final, heavyweight match between Cowley's Dean Setticase and Midland's Matt Johnston. Setticase took the suspense out of the match early as he tossed Johnston to the mat and pinned him in only 33 seconds. The pin gave Cowley the 24-18 win and improved their dual record to 2-0 on the season.

Cowley head coach Beau Vest, who spent seven years at Midland prior to coming to Cowley, was proud of his team's effort in the win over the Warriors.

"Dean was excited to have the duel come down to him," Cowley head coach Beau Vest said. "He's a fiery guy and was completely dominant."

Unfortunately, due to injury and illness, the Tigers would forfeit matches in four weight classes against Hastings as they fell to 2-1 in duals. A bright spot in the loss was Setticase getting another pin at 285 pounds. Brandon Kidd also wrestled well at 157 pounds as he defeated Hastings' Dylan Crawford 8-6.

"Brandon wrestled really well," Vest said. "I thought the guys we put out there wrestled tough."

Cowley will have one more competition prior to Winter Break when they compete at the New Mexico Highland Open Saturday, December 4 in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

"We need to work on some things and use this time to find the right chemistry and mix within our team," Vest said.

Cowley results vs. Midland:

*125 pounds – Angel Avila (CC) won by forfeit.

*133 ponds – Open.

*141 pounds – Zach Hamilton (CC) won an 11-5 decision over Prestin Vondra (MC).

*149 pounds – Steven Aranda (MC) won by forfeit.

*157 pounds – Brandon Kidd (CC) won by fall over Jabez Anderson (MC).

*165 pounds – Double forfeit

*174 pounds – Mouhamadou Sene (CC) won a 4-3 decision over Kolton Kammeyer (MC).

*184 pounds – Connor Rinn (MC) won by forfeit.

*197 pounds – Alex Howard (CC) lost by fall to Tyson Beauperthuy (MC).

*285 pounds – Dean Setticase (CC) won by fall over Matt Johnston (MC).

Cowley results vs. Hastings:

*125 pounds – Angel Avila (CC) won by forfeit.

*133 ponds – Angel Avila (CC) lost by fall to Kavika Aholelei (HC).

*141 pounds – Edrich Nortje (HC) won by forfeit.

*149 pounds – Riley Dement (HC) won by forfeit.

*157 pounds – Brandon Kidd (CC) won an 8-6 decision over Dylan Crawford (HC).

*165 pounds – Taygen Smith (HC) won by forfeit.

*174 pounds – Trenton Munoz (HC) won by technical fall over Mouhamadou Sene (CC).

*184 pounds – Corbin Phelps (HC) won by forfeit.

*197 pounds – Dominick Leon (HC) won by fall over Alex Howard (CC).

*285 pounds – Dean Setticase (CC) won by fall over Henry Jones (HC).