After two impressive duals, the Central Dutch wrestling team, who started the season ranked 29th in the nation, are now number 15. The Dutch won their first dual of the season earlier this month against St. Olaf College in dominant fashion, 27 – 11, and then battled to the end against then number three Coe but fell 16 – 15. Central interim Athletic Director and current wrestling head coach, Eric Van Kley, said the match between 125 pounders Daniel Page and Jimmy Gotto of Coe to open up the dual gave his team a tremendous amount of momentum heading into the rest of the night.
“In that particular night, I think Daniel Page was maybe a little bit more prepared and had a better game plan,” Van Kley said. “So we were able to come out with a hard fought 4 – 2 win over their number one ranked 125 pounder. That kind of just got things rolling after that. At 133, we picked up another win with freshman Aaron Anderson. I think whoever wasn’t a believer coming into that night either on our team or in the stands, definitely was after that.”
Iowa Conference rival, Wartburg, is still ranked number one in the country. Central will next wrestle a week from tomorrow on December 1 on the road at the Milwaukee School of Engineering Invitational in Wisconsin.