Wartburg wrestling remains unbeaten in American Rivers Conference with win over Coe

WAVERLY — A strong start and a late pin.

Wartburg won four of the first five matches for a 10-point lead at intermission and Kyle Briggs added a late fall to seal the deal.

The sixth-ranked Knights won six matches and defeated No. 2 Coe, 22-15, in an American Rivers Conference wrestling dual Friday night at Levick Arena.

Brady Kyner (125) sparked the Knights early. He posted a 5-1 decision over National Wrestling Coaches Association champion Alex Friddle in the opening bout.

Joe Pins extended the lead with the first of two bonus-point wins for Wartburg. He notched a 14-2 major decision over Bryce Parke at 133, making it 7-0.

After Brock Henderson put Coe on the board with a 5-1 decision over Brady Fritz at 141, the Knights answered with two more victories.

The Knights’ Kris Rumph topped Riley Wright, 11-5, at 149. Teammate David Hollingsworth beat Brady Henderson, 6-1, making it 13-3 at the midway point.

Will Esmoil recorded an impressive win after the break. He handled Braxton Doebel, 7-2, at 165.

Wartburg posted back-to-back wins again. This time it was a decision from Zane Mulder over Tristin Westphal at 174 and the big blow from Briggs at 184.

Top-ranked Briggs, an NWCA champion last season, pinned Ryan Schott in the first period of his final home dual. Briggs made it 22-6 with two matches remaining and out of reach.

Coe ended strong with two wins. Matt Arseneault scored a takedown in sudden victory for a 4-2 decision over Kobe Woods.

Top-ranked heavyweight Kaleb Reeves capped the dual with a pin over Damari Dancy in 3:47.

Wartburg improves to 12-1 and 6-0 in the A-R-C this season. Coe drops to 9-5 overall and 3-2 in the conference.

The Knights’ victory sets up a winner-take-all conference dual with top-ranked Loras next Friday in Dubuque. The Duhawks are 11-0 and 6-0.