Dutch Men’s Wrestling Team 16th Nationally Heading into Postseason
With the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional starting today, the Central College men’s wrestling team came in at #16 in the final regular season edition of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Tournament Team Rankings on Monday.
The Dutch (12-4, 4-4 American Rivers Conference) were also listed at #18 in the dual version of the rankings. Tournament Team Rankings are not based on a team’s dual strength, but rather calculated based on individual rankings.
Individually, Pierre Baldwin remained at #5 at 141 pounds and Gage Linahon stayed at #6 at 197 pounds. Baldwin is 31-1 this season with victories against #9 Brad Rosen of North Central College (Ill.) and #6 Sam Stuhl of Augsburg University (Minn.). He’s twice been named the American Rivers Conference Men’s Wrestler of the Week for his performance and has won four individual tournament titles. Linahon is 28-4 this season, and won 14 matches by either fall or technical fall.
The NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional will be today and Friday at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids. Seven of the 20 teams competing are ranked in the top-25 of the tournament team rankings.
Central’s Georgia Softball Schedule Changed
The Central College softball team’s schedule in the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic was altered, with the event now launching tonight.
Central’s game with DePauw University (Ind.), originally slated for 4:30 pm Friday in Columbus, Georgia, is now slated for 6 pm today. Central’s other Friday game with Roanoke College (Va.) remains a 3:30 pm start for now, as heavy rains are expected Friday into Saturday in the Columbus area. The event features 24 of the top teams in the NCAA Division III with each scheduled to play six games by Sunday.
Broadcasts for Central games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS and the KRLS3 stream with the Voice of the Dutch, Trevor Castle, calling all the action. Find where and when to listen to Central’s games over the weekend under the Live Radio Sports Guide at KNIAKRLS.com.
Central’s Johnson Gains All-Conference Women’s Hoops Honors
Central College’s Abby Johnson was named to the American Rivers women’s basketball all-conference squad. Johnson was a first-team selection, while Allison Van Gorp received honorable mention after landing second-team honors in her first two seasons.
Johnson, a 5-foot-11 guard, averaged a team-high 13.2 points along with 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 25 games. She led the team in made 3-pointers with 60 and shot a team-high 45.5% from 3-point range. Johnson led the conference in 3-point percentage and was seventh in the conference in scoring for the season overall. Van Gorp, a 6-3 center, averaged 9.3 points and led the Dutch with 8.2 rebounds along with a team-best 54.4% field-goal percentage. She ranked third in the conference in rebounding and in field goal percentage.
The Dutch were 11-14 overall and 5-11 in conference play under first-year coach Justin Weiland.