Wartburg keeps winning against Iowa Conference foes (video)

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Many Iowa Conference teams have taken their shot.

Buena Vista and Simpson tried in the 1990's. Luther seemed poised for a hit, but didn't deliver. Coe has taken aim with some strong teams in recent years, but Wartburg remains untouched against the IIAC during almost the last two decades.

The top-ranked Knights overcame a serious threat from the No. 4 Kohawks, claiming a 21-12 victory Saturday at the IIAC Duals and extending its conference winning streak to 158 straight Saturday at Eby Fieldhouse.

The successful stretch comes against arguably the toughest NCAA Division III conference in the country. While each program seems to have challenged, Wartburg stays perched atop them all.

"We're proud of that," Wartburg Coach Jim Miller said. "We know how many good teams there have been over the years."

The wrestlers are aware of what the streak means, not only to themselves but to the other Knights, who wrestled and built the foundation for the dominance that continues today.

"Every single year a senior tells the underclassmen that this isn't going to happen on my watch," Wartburg fourth-ranked 184-pound senior Dylan Azinger said. "I'm going to whatever it takes (to extend the streak)."

Azinger was one of six Knight winners against the Kohawks. Azinger tallied three takedowns, including one in the third, for a tight 8-6 win over Ethan Ball.

Miller praised Kenny Anderson (125) and 141-pounder Kodie Silvestri, who both won by major decision to give the Knights an early 8-3 lead. He also highlighted the effort of unranked 149-pounder Drew Waggenhoffer, who lost a 5-4 decision to third-ranked James Locke.

Wartburg broke open the dual with four straight wins, including Azinger's decision and two-time NCAA champion and top-ranked Byron's Tate major decision at 197.

"I don't think we wrestled our best," Miller said.

Yet the Knights continue winning against the IIAC. A mark of a champion is being able to win when you're not at your best. The Knights have done that, but they have to push through to victory considering what is at stake and what it means to those associated with the program.

"There's no way a team can keep doing that with everybody feeling good," Azinger said. "You've got to find a way to do it anyway."

Coe's Jordan Westfall found a way to capture his first win over a top-10 ranked opponent. Westfall battled No. 4 Tommy Mirocha for more than nine minutes before scoring the decisive takedown in the second sudden victory period for a 3-1 overtime win.

"It was real frustrating," Westfall said of close losses to a handful of ranked wrestlers. "I kept working. I think I'm starting to peak right now. I finally got the monkey off my back."

Regulation ended in a 1-1 tie with Westfall earning a point with more than a minute of riding time and Mirocha getting an escape. After a scoreless sudden-victory period, the wrestlers rode each other to force a second sudden victory. Westfall said he felt better as the match progressed.

"I actually do gain confidence as the match goes on," Westfall said. "I know we work hard in the room. I felt like I was in perfect position to take that match and that's what happened in the end."

West dropped in for a low single, covering both ankles from behind and putting Mirocha to his knees a little more than 10 seconds into the final stanza.

Watch Westfall's winning takedown

"I had a feeling it was going to come down to whoever could get a takedown," Westfall said about his thoughts entering the match.

The Kohawks, who were wrestling without 10th-ranked Chris LeClere (141) and top-ranked 165-pounder Nick LeClere because of injury, held a 9-8 advantage midway through the dual. Dale Handley followed Locke's win with a 2-1 decision over Cole Welter at 157, making a first-period takedown stand. Fifth-ranked Heavyweight Alex Burkle ended the dual with a commanding 10-4 win over Ryan Fank, but the Knights already had the win secured.

Coe Coach John Oostendorp said his team needed to capitalize on more opportunities to score and earn wins. He stopped short of accepting any moral victory.

"I'll put it this way. I felt better after that dual than I did our first one where we won, 45-0," said Oostendorp, whose team blanked Simpson to start the day. "I thought we competed the way we needed to develop guys down the stretch."

Wartburg also beat Simpson, 45-0, and both schools defeated Dubuque. The 20th-ranked Spartans lost to Wartburg, 40-3, and Coe, 32-6.

125 pounds - Kenny Anderson (W) major dec. Jimmy Gotto, 10-0 (3, 0); 133 - Jordan Westfall (C) dec. Tommy Mirocha, 3-1 SV2 (1, 0); 141 - Kodie Silvestri (W) major dec. Drew Hinschberger, 12-0 (2, 0); 149 - James Locke (C) dec. Drew Waggenhoffer, 5-4 (0, 1); 157 - Dale Handley (C) dec. Cole Welter, 2-1 (1, 0); 165 - Landon Williams (W) dec. Jason Taylor-Ohmes, 5-4 (1, 2); 174 - Bradley Banks (W) dec. Scott King, 6-2 (1, 0); 184 - Dylan Azinger (W) dec. Ethan Ball, 8-6 (3, 1); 197 - Byron Tate (W) major dec. Donnie Horner, 20-6 (8, 0); Hwt. - Alex Burkle (C) dec. Ryan Fank, 10-4 (4, 0).

Takedowns - Coe 9, Wartburg 19. Escapes - Coe 14, Wartburg 12. Reversals - Coe 2, Wartburg 3. Nearfall points - Coe 0, Wartburg 11. Penalty points (awarded) - Coe 0, Wartburg 1. Riding time points - Coe 2, Wartburg 3. Total match points - Coe 38, Wartburg 71.