Top-ranked Knights pick up 16th win

WAVERLY – Wartburg College gave its senior class of 2010-11 a sparkling home send off Jan. 19.

With twelve Knights competing in their last meet inside Levick Arena, Coach Jim Miller's squad reeled off eight bonus-point victories in the nine matches against Buena Vista. Wartburg's 51-0 win over BV, the 146th in a row for the program against Iowa Conference dual competition, was highlighted by falls from sophomore Tommy Mirocha of Davenport (133), senior Jacob Groth of Marshalltown (157), senior Adam Weber of Waterloo (165), and senior heavyweight John Helgerson of West Union.

The top-ranked Orange and Black continue league dual competition Friday, Jan. 21, with a 7 p.m. start against No. 13-ranked Cornell inside the Small Multi-Sport Center in Mount Vernon.

NOTES – Wartburg's season record moved to 16-1 overall and 4-0 in the IIAC. … Helgerson and junior 197-pounder Byron Tate of Clinton each reached the 30-win mark for the season. Tate did so with a strong 11-3 major decision over No. 6-ranked Bryan Broll behind four takedowns. It was his 38th win in his last 39 matches. … Miller's team also sends wrestlers to Loras College's Flash Flanagan Open Saturday, Jan. 22.