Bryce Parke contributes to Coe’s 33-6 romp of wrestling rival Cornell

MOUNT VERNON — Coe’s Bryce Parke has experienced highs and persevered the lows.

He has continued to battle and the former has outweighed the latter recently.

“There have been a lot of ups and downs this season,” Parke said. “There have been a lot of people that have been there for me.

“We’re getting through it. Here we are (Thursday night), coming out with a win.”

Parke’s performance was indicative of the 13th-ranked Kohawks overall. He posted one of Coe’s five bonus-point victories in a 33-6 win over Cornell in the Bremner Cup series wrestling dual at the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.

“We’re starting to put together some consistency up and down the lineup,” Coe Coach John Oostendorp said. “That’s how I feel like we could have wrestled (and) what is big right now.

“We’re starting to get healthier and just getting people to come together. It’s a good feeling.”

Parke has endured a little funk after qualifying for the NCAA tournament last year. He was a victory shy of All-America status as a freshman, but this season has had its share of adversity. Parke is 15-12 with nine of those wins since Jan. 7. He is 9-4 in tournament competition, placing second at Cornell’s Cliff Keen-Mike Duroe Matman and third in the Coe College Invitational.

Duals, however, have been feast or famine. All 14 matches have been decided by bonus points. Parke has six wins in duals, tallying his third major decision Thursday to go with three pins.

“I’ve taken some losses I don’t think I should have taken,” said Parke, who noted that Oostendorp, Kohawk assistant Jimmy Gotto and some Coe administrators have helped in his struggles that he has handled privately in the past. “I’m just hard on myself that way. They’re helping me. We’ll get through this together.”

The pre-match routine changed a little for the Cornell dual. Parke didn’t listen to music before his 141-pound bout. He didn’t isolate himself from the action, opting to watch his teammates compete. The goal was to relax and soak in the situation.

“Don’t get so worked up on the mat,” Parke said. “Just breathe and enjoy it. Tonight was completely different than any other night this year.”

Parke rolled to an 8-0 major over the Rams’ Carter Fecht at 141. He started strong with a takedown and two nearfall on the edge of the mat in the opening period.

“I came out aggressive,” Parke said. “The whole team was aggressive. It was fun. It was exciting. It was an enjoyable match.”

The early surge was followed by a second-period takedown and an escape in the third. He notched the major with a riding-time point.

“It was a good win by Bryce,” Oostendorp said. “He went out and (dominated).”

Park contributed to Coe’s 14-0 lead through four matches. Cade Hornback (125) and 149-pounder Riley Wright posted decisions. Alex Friddle (133) managed the first bonus-point win, scoring five takedowns and adding a late four-point nearfall in a 16-2 major over Eli Sneed.

Cornell (8-3) received decisions from Gabriel Smith (157) and 165-pounder Casey Allen, pulling the Rams within eight.

The Kohawks (8-6) closed even better. They won the final four weights, including a decision from L.J. Richardson (174) and Tristin Westphal’s 16-3 major decision at 184. Westphal scored a takedown with four nearfall in the first and second periods.

Jared Voss (197) and heavyweight Kaleb Reeves have overcome injuries. Neither wrestled for long. Voss pinned Jackson Brinker in 1:59, while the All-American Reeves needed just 40 seconds for a fall over Drake Fox.

“Overall, I felt it was a team effort,” Oostendorp said. “That’s kind of like what we were looking for. Win some of those third periods. Get some of those key takedowns. Come out and get to the legs, beating guys to the punch.”

Coe closes the regular season with a dual Friday at University of Dubuque. The regional tournament is Feb. 24-25 at Springfield, Ill.

“Both myself and the team,” Parke said. “We are ready for the postseason.”

AT MOUNT VERON

Coe 33, Cornell 6

(Individual takedowns in parentheses)

125 pounds – Cade Hornback (Coe) dec. Jase Van Pelt, 3-0 (0,0); 133 – Alex Friddle (Coe) major dec. Eli Sneed, 16-2 (5,0); 141 – Bryce Parke (Coe) major dec. Carter Fecht, 8-0 (2,0); 149 – Riley Wright (Coe) dec. Landon Card, 3-1 (1,0); 157 – Gabriel Smith (Cor) dec. Dylan Falck, 11-7 (4,1); 165 – Casey Allen (Coe) dec. Gabe McGeough, 3-0 (1,0); 174 – L.J. Richardson (Coe) dec. Jacob Scherzer, 8-3 (2,0); 184 – Tristin Westphal (Coe) major dec. Cael McLaren, 16-3 (3,0); 197 – Jared Voss (Coe) pinned Jackson Brinker, 1:59 (1,0); Hwt. – Kaleb Reeves (Coe) pinned Drake Fox, :40 (1,0)

MEET STATISTICS

Takedowns – Coe 16, Cornell 5. Reversals – Coe 1, Cornell 1. Escapes – Coe 11, Cornell 10. Nearfall points – Coe 18, Cornell 0. Penalty points (awarded) – Coe 1, Cornell 0. Riding-time points – Coe 5, Cornell 1. Total match points – Coe 69, Cornell 23. Official – Kent Sesker. Attendance – 765.