Coe faces tough test with IIAC power Wartburg

CEDAR RAPIDS -- A titanic task will take a Herculean effort.

If Coe can succeed, they will put an end to monumental streak.

The fourth-ranked Kohawks host half of the Iowa Conference Duals, setting up a dual Saturday at Eby Fieldhouse against No. 1 Wartburg, which has not lost to an IIAC team in their last 155 conference duals. Competition begins at 9:30 a.m. with Coe and Wartburg scheduled to wrestle at 11:15 a.m.

The Kohawks (6-2) are aware of the daunting challenge they face.

"Obviously, they've won a lot of duals in a row," Coe Coach John Oostendorp said. "Somebody needs to break through and to do that you're going to have to have your best stuff from all 10 guys."

Already this season, Coe has placed ahead of Wartburg in two tournaments, winning the Simpson Invitational by a point over the Knights and Cornell's Matman Invitational, three spots ahead of Wartburg.

The Knights have nearly been untouchable in dual competition, posting a 14-1 record with the only blemish coming from the University of Wisconsin, an NCAA Division I program. They captured the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals title earlier this month, outscoring four opponents by a combined total of 126-19. That included wins over No. 2 Augsburg (Minn.), 29-6, and third-ranked Wisconsin-La Crosse, 25-9.

"They're wrestling really well," Oostendorp said. "They dominated everybody at the National Duals.

"We'll see where we're at and we're three weeks out from conference so it will be a good test with some of those big matchups with them."

Those big matchups will be at almost every weight. Wartburg has nine ranked wrestlers, including seven in the top 10 and top-ranked 197-pounder and two-time national champion Byron Tate. Coe answers with seven led by top-ranked Nick LeClere at 165. The dual promises six bouts featuring two ranked wrestlers.

"Every match is going to be a big one," Oostendorp said. "There are probably some where they feel good on paper and some where we feel good on paper but the match isn't decided on paper."

Wartburg's dominance can intimidate the opposition, allowing the Knights to take the mat with an edge. Don't expect that to be the case with Coe.

"A big part of this sport is mental and the people that control their emotion are able to transfer what they're doing in the practice room out on the mat against good competition," Oostendorp said. "That's the key for being successful at this sport."

Playing the role of spoiler and ending the Wartburg conference streak isn't motivating. The Kohawks train to be the best individuals with a goal of beating the best. It just so happens that many of the Knights vie for that top spot.

"They have motivation to be a national champion," Oostendorp said. "To do that, you have to beat the top guys at the weight. They have had their share of top guys for awhile."

The field also includes No. 20 University of Dubuque and Simpson.

The remaining IIAC will compete at Central College in Pella, beginning at 9 a.m. Sixth-ranked Cornell will have a showdown with No. 11 Luther in the second round, starting at 10:45 a.m.