Kohawks host Air Force

CEDAR RAPIDS - The goal is pretty simple for the Coe College wrestling team.

The Kohawks don't want to be the best NCAA Division III program in the country. They want to be the best wrestling program, regardless of classification.

Coe has never shied away from Division I competition, but will reach a new level Friday night, when the fifth-ranked Kohawks host Air Force Academy at Eby Fieldhouse, starting at 7 p.m.

"We're excited about it," Coe Coach John Oostendorp said. "It's good for our program as we continue to build it to compete on all different levels."

The Kohawks have wrestled teams from college's highest level, including the University of Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Coe compete against Air Force last year in Colorado Springs, Colo., losing 21-13. Oostendorp's mantra has always been to train to be the best team in of any class in the nation.

"Just the other day (Oostendorp) was talking to us about this dual and he said we're not a Division III program we're a D-I program and we're going to prove our capabilities," top-ranked 165-pound senior Nick LeClere said. "It reinforces what (Oostendorp) is preaching to us that we are a Division I program, we take it that seriously and we have the talent. We can compete at that level."

The dual could be a perfect chance for the program to display its strength in Oostendorp's 10th year as head coach. LeClere said he hopes it shows the Kohawks' fan base by drawing a big crowd, and proves the wrestlers are among the best nation. he plans to open some people's eyes Friday.

"That's what we're plannign on," LeClere said. "It shows how the gap between divisions is getting smaller and smaller. There's talent up and down D-I, D-II and D-III, and this kind of dual will prove that."

Oostendorp said he wants to attract wrestlers with that mentality as well. He wants to provide them with the experience against top talent and in an electric atmosphere against high-caliber competition.

"You hope you're recruiting the type of young men that want that challenge," Oostendorp said.

The Kohawks were up to it last year. They didn't lose a match by more than a decision and Dale Handley (157) and 174-pounder Scott King return with wins versus Air Force foes. Oostendorp said the first contest was a battle.

"I hope our guys will go out and wrestle to represent themselves the way they are capable," Oostendorp said. "Hopefully, it's a good show. I hope it's an entertaining night of wrestling."

The original opportunity to face Air Force formed from the generosity of alumni that support the program and a long standing relationship between coaches. Oostendorp wanted to take the team on a trip to face a different test and they drummed up the support.

"We've been able to have the resources to have a trip," said Oostendorp, whose team faced the Hawkeyes and Air Force within a month's period last season. "It was good for the program."

Air Force Coach Joel Sharratt and Oostendorp were teammates for three years at Iowa. Sharratt wrestled at 190, while Oostendorp was a heavyweight. Oostendorp said the two remained in contact since their college days. He was grateful for the chance to compete against Sharratt's squad last year and was pleased when Sharratt contacted him in the spring about a date at Coe this season.

"He's been very generous returning the favor coming back to wrestle us," said Oostendorp, noting that Air Force doesn't have many college programs to wrestle against in Colorado. "I'm very appreciative."

Coe will also recognize DC Elite kids wrestling club at the dual. Oostendorp said he would like it to be an annual occurrence to help promote wrestling's tradition in Cedar Rapids. He also said he would like to face Air Force regularly.

'We've had good crowds for our home duals. It's a good atmosphere," Oostendorp said. "Hopefully, we create a good experience and Air Force will want to come back again in two years."

Air Force, whose assistant Bart Horton is a former Iowa State University wrestler who won an Iowa state title for Dubuque Wahlert, will travel to Cedar Falls to face University of Northern Iowa for a Western Wrestling Conference dual on Sunday at 2 p.m.