DUBUQUE -- Fueled by bonus point wins in its first four matches, Wartburg got out to a quick start en route to a 44-0 win over Loras in Iowa Conference dual wrestling action Wednesday, Dec. 3.
The top-ranked Knights, earning the program's 123rd consecutive dual win against Iowa Conference competition, received major decisions from 125-pounder Mark Kist, 133-pounder Matt Kelly, and 149-pounder Jacob Groth. Jacob Mirocha, at 141, gained a fall in the roll. After a pair of decision wins at 157 and 165, Wartburg picked up three straight bonus-point victories to put the dual out of reach. Craig Kreman, at 174, took a pin, while freshman 197-pounder Byron Tate gained a major decision, and freshman 184-pounder Ben Scott was winner by forfeit.
In the two highlight matches of ranked wrestlers, Wartburg 157-pounder Aaron Wernimont, ranked number one, held off a strong charge from the Duhawks' Erik Hansen, ranked fifth, for a 9-6 final. At heavyweight, ninth-ranked heavyweight John Helgerson upended third-ranked Trevor Kauffman 10-5.
