Luther's Pyle earns IIAC honor

Luther 149-pounder Jason Pyle was named Iowa Conference Male Athlete of the Week for his performance at the Kaufman/Brand Open last weekend. Pyle was the runner-up in the elite division, placing behind University of Nebraska's Chris Hacker.

Pyle's march to the championship match was impressive, topping a pair of Division I wrestlers and a returning D-II All-American. Pyle posted a 5-3 decision over Indiana's Jared Picket and a 5-4 win over Central Oklahoma's Colby Robinson. The junior from Morrill, Kan., scored his biggest win over Iowa State's three-time national qualifier and 15th-ranked Mitch Mueller. Pyle edged Mueller, 9-8.

Three other wrestlers were recognized, including Buena Vista's Austin Mogg, Coe's Tyler Burkle and Chris Sandy of Wartburg. Mogg (125) won the gold division at the Auggie-Brute-Adidas Open. Burkle was 3-1,l dropping a last second 8-6 decision to Iowa's Phil Keddy, ranked second in NCAA Division I. Sandy won the Falcon Open hosted at Concordia (Wis.). He added a 2-1 win over No. 2 Austin Bautista of Wisconsin-Whitewater.