ICCAC Wrestling Dual Preview : January 16
Four ICCAC teams take to the mat tonight in a full conference dual slate.
#7 Iowa Lakes @ #4 Iowa Central - Fort Dodge, IA
Iowa Lakes heads to Fort Dodge tonight for a conference matchup against Iowa Central.
The Lakers are coming off of a 44-5 win over NIACC and the Tritons are still hot over their narrow 19-17 win against Ellsworth on Jan. 8. Iowa Lakes (No. 7), despite being ranked lower in the NJCAA poll will look to stay at the top of the ICCAC dual standings against the 4th-ranked Tritons.
The last time these two teams matched up on Dec. 5, Iowa Lakes took home the victory 27-9. The Lakers also received two pins in the 133 and 165 weight categories.
The two teams both have multiple nationally ranked wrestlers. The three big matches this evening could see 149 lbs. No. 8 Yarhoski Aldiva (ICCC) vs. No. 7 Trachy Davis (ILCC), 157 lbs. No. 2 Ethan Karsten (ICCC) vs. No. 1 David Hollingsworth and 174 lbs No. 3 Ashton Eyler (ICCC) vs. No. 4 Bunmi Smith (IWCC).
Remaining Iowa Central ranked players are No. 8 Kevin Radcliff (125 lbs.) and No. 1 Tyree Sutton (197 lbs.)
Iowa Lakes has the No. 7 ranked wrestler at 165 lbs, Evyn Inalaco.
Expect this dual to be everything you could imagine; a physical neck-and-neck matchup that will not only separate one team atop the ICCAC standings but also give a glimpse into how the rest of the conference slate could end up.
#6 Ellsworth @ #8 Iowa Western - Council Bluffs, IA
No. 6 Ellsworth travels to take on No. 8 Iowa Western in an NJCAA top-10 matchup this evening.
Iowa Western took home the victory during their last match on Jan. 5 against NIACC, 24-21 as Ellsworth fell short their last match against Iowa Central on Jan. 8, 19-17.
The last meeting between the two teams ended with a victory for Ellsworth, 25-15, with one forfeit from each team.
The big match to watch tonight is the dual with nationally ranked players going against one another at the 184 lb. weight as No. 3 Jordan Sharikian (ECC) takes on No. 4 Tim Barr (IWCC).
Out of these teams, Ellsworth has named the most nationally ranked players. The remaining are No. 8 Zack Donathan (141 lbs.), No. 4 Cardeionte Wilson (149 lbs.), No. 6 Bryce Pilcher (197 lbs.) and No. 6 Charles Griffin (Hwt.).
To end the list with Iowa Western's ranked wrestlers, No. 3 Jacob Ruiz (133 lbs.) and No. 2 Michael Zachary (165 lbs.).
This duel will have a lot of emotion in the air as Iowa Western will look to gain back some ground within the ICCAC standings as they are currently in fourth place to Ellsworth's third place.