The Central College women’s wrestling team started the second half of its season Friday at the Missouri Baptist Open, and last year’s team MVP Esther Belzer also returned from injury.

Central sent four wrestlers to compete in Missouri and was one of 11 teams at the tournament. The Dutch competed with several top-25 teams from the NWCA’s NCAA Women’s Rankings, including #5 McKendree University (Ill.), #7 Lindenwood University (Mo.), and #25 William Jewell College (Mo.). Belzer hadn’t competed since wrestling a pair of matches on Saturday, November 9th at the Waldorf Open, and picked up her first win of the season in the 138-pound consolation rounds with a 10-0 technical fall.

The Dutch next compete at the American Rivers Conference Championships on Saturday, January 25th at Loras College in Dubuque.