Coe looks for gains at NWCA National Duals

The best is yet to come.

At least that is what Coe Coach John Oostendorp expects from the eighth-ranked Kohawks.

The proof could come this weekend as Coe heads to the National Wrestling Coaches Association Multi-Divisional National Duals on Friday and Saturday at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind. The Kohawks are the seventh seed in the NCAA Division III bracket and will face the winner between No. 14-ranked Ithaca (N.Y.) and Wheaton (Ill.) after a bye.

Oostendorp said the pieces are coming together for a strong run from now until March.

'I think it's been a little up and down,” Oostendorp said. 'I don't think we've put it all together as a team, yet.

'Ideally, that happens all year long, but I think this team is going to get better the second half.”

The two-day dual tournament could be a steppingstone. They are prepared and waiting for competition to resume.

'We've been training hard for it, but we have to see when we get there,” Coe's second-ranked 165-pounder Farai Sewera said. 'I think we're ready. This training phase has been good.”

Coe is 3-2 overall, but 2-0 in the Iowa Conference. Oostendorp said first-semester results have varied for many teams and a couple swing matches make a big difference. Inexperienced wrestlers are learning quickly and veterans are returning to form.

'We have a combination of younger and older guys,” Oostendorp said. 'I think our best wrestling is ahead for both the younger and older guys. Our older guys are getting closer to where they need to be for that second-half push.”

Sewera is one of the leaders, overcoming a groin injury to post a 10-1 mark and earning IIAC Athlete of the Week honors in December.

'He's a tough competitor,” Oostendorp said. 'Even though he's probably not wrestling as well as he felt like he did at times, he's still been able to go out and grind through those matches and battle his way to victory.

'He's healthy now and I really like what I'm seeing from him.

The Kohawks welcomed Ryan Harrington to the lineup at 174. Harrington, a two-time New Jersey state champ who transferred to Coe from North Carolina last year, is 3-0 after joining the team last month. He climbed to No. 4 in the rankings with a technical fall, major decision and one-point over Olivet's previously fourth-ranked Nick Allen.

'He's doing well,” said Oostendorp, who also praised 133-pounder Mike Gussarson. 'He became eligible for out in Vegas and beat two ranked guys.”

Sewera said the freshmen have made strides and Harrington has bolstered the experienced upperweights that included All-American Ryan Sheldon at 184 and ranked senior 197-pounder Donnie Horner.

'I think we're close together as a team right now,” Sewera said. 'We are ready to step up.”

Hall wins Scuffle title

Iowa State All-American Earl Hall captured the 133-pound title at the Southern Scuffle wrestling tournament Jan. 2 at University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Hall beat three top-10 ranked wrestlers, including a 5-2 win over Michigan's No. 8 Rossi Bruno in the championship match. The performance catapulted Hall six spots higher to seventh in TheOpenMat.com NCAA Division I wrestling rankings.

Hall broke open a 1-1 tied in the third, taking Bruno down to his back to improve his record to 16-4.

Hall also beat Penn State's top-seeded Jimmy Gulibon, who was ranked fifth at the time, 5-2, in the semifinal. He posted a quarterfinal pin over Virginia's ranked George DiCamillo.

Hall became the Cyclones first titlist in two years competing in the tournament. Iowa State Coach Kevin Jackson said Hall continues to improve.

'He's continuing to show what he's capable of at this level,” Jackson said during his weekly news conference. 'If earl hall gives us those five matches at the NCAA Championship, he's going to be in pretty good shape.”

The Big 12 announced Tuesday that Hall was named conference Wrestler of the Week, joining teammate Kyven Gadson, who earned in Dec. 8.

GREEN DEVIL DUAL

Upper Iowa faced University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse last week as part of a college/prep doubleheader at New Hampton. The Peacocks recorded a 40-9 victory and hometown bragging rights for head coach Heath Grimm.

Grimm, in his 15th season leading Upper Iowa, and Eagles head coach Dave Malecek are Osage natives. Malecek was also a former head coach at Cedar Rapids Regis and Cedar Rapids Xavier.

The 17th-ranked Peacocks won eight matches, including pins from Matt Paulus (133), Jordan Rinken (157), Colbey Vance (165), Dalton Westerlund (174) and 184-pounder Blake Sorensen. Upper Iowa will compete in the NWCA National Duals this weekend.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com