Resilient Luther sweeps IIAC duals

CEDAR RAPIDS — Resilience is a component of wrestling.

The trait can win matches or help persevere the rough patches of a season and even career.

Luther Coach Dave Mitchell preaches it and the message has factored into the season. The Norse have turned things around this season, improving to 10-5 with three wins at the Iowa Conference Duals on Saturday at Coe's Eby Fieldhouse.

Luther blanked Simpson, 46-0, to start the day. The 12th-ranked Norse topped No. 14 Coe, 29-15, and then ended the day with a 32-10 victory over Loras. The pieces are falling into place.

'We're getting better,' Luther Coach Dave Mitchell said. 'We have some guys who have been injured most of the year. We have those guys back and we are better across the board.'

The Norse recently returned national finalist Drew Van Anrooy (141), All-American heavyweight Conner Herman, NCAA qualifier Blake Letney at 165 and senior 133-pounder Nick Scheffert. Van Anrooy missed the entire first half, Letney had been out since the second week of November and Hermann only had three matches before this weekend. The foursome combined for a 10-0 record Saturday.

'It's the best lineup we have had, without a doubt, all season,' Luther Coach Dave Mitchell said. 'We came in here (Saturday) and battled, too. I'm proud of them. I like the direction we're heading.'

Mitchell talks to his team about resilience. Scheffert is a prime example. The three-year letterwinner was a full-time starter as a sophomore. He then wrestled behind All-American Evan Obert before getting hurt, forcing him to miss last year. Last February, Scheffert learned he was approved for another year to compete.

'It's a great opportunity,' Scheffert said. 'It was a great feeling finding out that I could use one more semester. It's a second chance.'

He made the most of his time in the off-season to prepare. The Owatonna, Minn., native lived in Decorah through the summer to train. He began conditioning and weight training earlier than before in the fall.

'It was a big emphasis on this year,' Scheffert said. 'I have to make it count.'

So far, he has made an impact. He is 16-6, recording a 3-2 decision over Coe's Mike Gussarson and a pin against Chris Glow, of Loras. His first action was at the Luther Open, but was unattached, joining the team for the Gator Duals.

'He just joined us at Christmas,' Mitchell said. 'He sure has helped us a lot there.'

Scheffert entered the national rankings. He is 10th in the National Wrestling Coaches Association NCAA Division III individual poll that was released Jan. 12. He said they are something to be proud of but isn't concerned with them since top seeds lose every year at the NCAA tournament.

'Rankings don't mean anything to me until later when they can help with seeding at the national tournament,' Scheffert said. 'Right now, I don't pay attention to it. I look at every opponent the same.'

Coe handled Loras and Simpson, improving to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in the Iowa Conference. The Kohawks claimed eight weights in a 34-7 victory over the Duhawks. Coe ended the day with a 37-12 win over the Storm. Top-ranked 174-pounder Ryan Harrington and Jan Rosenberg (125) were unbeaten for the Kohawks. Harrington had two technical falls and a pin, and Jan Rosenberg added two pins.

'I think we had some guys compete at the level they need to in a big dual like that (against Luther), but I would say up and down the lineup we weren't as physical as we need to be,' Coe Coach John Oostendorp said. 'You are getting to the home stretch where you're looking at individuals and wanting them to be making gains from week to week and win those tough matches on paper. You find a way to win them.'

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