Coe’s Will Esmoil continues hot streak with dominant title run at Lower Midwest Regional wrestling meet

CEDAR RAPIDS — If this was going to be the final season for Coe’s Will Esmoil, he wanted to make it count.

Everything became clear after stiff competition to open the season. He wanted to leave no regrets and make the most out of every opportunity.

“At the beginning of the year, it really was tough,” Esmoil said. “It could be my last season. I realized I need to get some stuff together and really focus in on this.”

Esmoil has made the most of each moment, especially over the last two months. He continued a hot streak, dominating his way to the 165-pound title at the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Region wrestling tournament Friday at Alliant Energy PowerHouse. Esmoil claimed a national tournament berth, returning for the first time since an All-America finish in 2022.

“Not making it last year made me want it even more this year,” Esmoil said. “I’ve been really focusing on the details of my wrestling the last couple weeks. It paid off. It feels good.”

Esmoil trounced everyone that took the same mat. He recorded three pins and two technical falls. He outscored his five opponents by a combined 55-3, without allowing an offensive point.

Ninth-ranked Esmoil capped the day with a pin in 2:41 over North Central’s No. 5 Alex Villar in the championship.

“I kept getting wrists and turns,” Esmoil said. “Just catching people.

“It just came to me. I performed.”

Esmoil has won 14 straight matches, dating back to Jan. 5. He improved to 27-3 this season. The senior, who has one more year of eligibility if he chooses to take it, is attempting to reclaim a spot on the national podium after getting fourth two years ago.

“He’s had a great year,” Kohawks Coach John Oostendorp said. “He just went out there and competed, attacking all the time. I’m super proud of him. I’m happy for him. That’s what he’s capable of doing.”

Eliminating the unnecessary pressure has helped. Esmoil said coaches have helped him gain a better perspective about competition. He has experienced more enjoyment from the sport.

“More like having fun, letting it fly,” Esmoil said. “Go out there. It’s no bigger than just a wrestling match. There’s so much more to life after this.”

Esmoil received a boost of confidence from coaches, who have said opponents don’t want to wrestle him because of his ability to rack up points and record pins. He has taken that mentality on the mat, focusing on his own strengths.

“He’s just had a great year,” Oostendorp said. “He’s just gone out and attacked all the time. He’s starting to really enjoy wrestling and the competitive nature of it. He is a mentally tough young man and makes it a fight out there.”

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Esmoil is one of four Kohawks to advance to the NCAA Championships March 15-16 at La Crosse, Wis. Cade Hornback (125), Bryce Parke (133) and 149-pounder Ty Koedam will also make the trip. They all did it by moving through the consolation bracket to place third. They helped the Kohawks finish third with 153 points.

“I’m super happy for them,” Oostendorp said. “I thought they competed well. Took advantage of those opportunities.”

Parke pinned Augustana’s No. 3 Trevor Boryla in 5:41 after a spirited comeback for third, avenging a quarterfinal loss. Hornback, who beat Dubuque All-American and fourth-ranked Brady Koontz Thursday, pinned Wartburg’s No. 6 James Levy for his national berth.

“He works incredibly hard,” Oostendorp said. “It was neat to get this chance in two weeks.”

Loras’ Zeb Gnida knocks off defending national champ

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One of the most notable victories of the tournament came in the 174-pound final. Sixth-ranked Zeb Gnida, of Loras, faced Wartburg’s top-ranked and defending national champion Zane Mulder.

Third time was the charm for Gnida, who scored a takedown with four seconds left in a 4-1 decision.

“Obviously, I’m very excited for the success I had today,” Gnida said. “That’s a good win to have under your belt.”

Progress showed in each match. Mulder won by major decision in the first meeting. Gnida was within two before giving up a late takedown in the next bout. He gained confidence that he could get a win.

“I’ve been working hard for a long time with him in mind,” Gnida said. “He’s been motivation for me to improve in wrestling. Also, the job is not done, yet. I’m excited about today and it has me motivated for the national tournament in two weeks. I’m more tunnel-visioned about that right now more than anything.”

Gnida secured his first NCAA Championships berth with a semifinal decision over Millikin’s Dejon Glaster. The pressure was off after qualifying. He was loose and relaxed, capitalizing on a late flurry for the decisive score, even if it was an uncertain blur later.

“I was ready to lay it all on the line,” Gnida said. “I wasn’t afraid to let it fly.”

Cornell and Luther each had two qualifiers. The Rams’ Gabe Smith (157) and Cael McLaren (184) both earned runner-up finishes to advance.

Clayton McDonough (157) and heavyweight Walter West each placed third to reach the national tournament. McDonough had a tournament-high four pins.

Wartburg captured the team title with 195 1/2 points, 30 more than runner-up North Central. The Knights had a tournament-best seven national qualifiers. Kyler Romero (141), Kasey Ross at 184 and top-ranked 197-pounder Massoma Endene won titles. Endene, a defending NCAA champion, went 4-0 with three pins and a technical fall – all in the first period. He was named the Most Valuable Wrestler.

NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional

At Alliant Energy PowerHouse

Teams – 1. Wartburg 195.5, 2. North Central 165.5, 3. Coe 153, 4. Loras 118.5, 5. Cornell 112.5, 6. Luther 100.5, 7. Millikin 93, 8. Central 92.5, 9. Dubuque 70.5, 10. Augustana 57, 11. Westminster 51, 12. University of the Ozarks 42.5, 13. Huntingdon 40, 14. Buena Vista 22.5, 15. Eureka 22, 16. Schreiner 9.5, 17. Nebraska Wesleyan 6, 18. Simpson 5.5, 19. Illinois Wesleyan 5, 20. Fontbonne 2.

NCAA Qualifiers

125 pounds – 1. Christian Guzman (NC), 2. Zac Blasioli (Mill), 3. Cade Hornback (Coe)

133 – 1. Robbie Precin (NC), 2. Joe Pins (War), 3. Bryce Parke (Coe)

141 – 1. Kyler Romero (War), 2. Pierre Baldwin (Cen), 3. Jake Dado (O)

149 – 1. Eric Kinkaid (Lor), 2. Charlie Dojan (War), 3. Ty Koedam (Coe)

157 – 1. Nathan Callaway (Mill), 2. Gabe Smith (Cor), 3. Clayton McDonough (Lut)

165 – 1. Will Esmoil (Coe), 2. Alex Villar (NC), 3. Dustin Bohren (Lor)

174 – 1. Zeb Gnida (Lor), 2. Zane Mulder (War), 3. Dejon Glaster (Mill)

184 – 1. Kasey Ross (War), 2. Cael McLaren (Cor), 3. Cole Cervantes (NC); 197 – 1. Massoma Endene (War), 2. Gage Linahon (Cen), 3. Montgomery Mills (Wes)

Hwt. – 1. Robby Bates (NC), 2. Mitch Williamson (War), 3. Walter West (Lut)

Most Valuable Wrestler – Endene, Wartburg

Most pins – McDonough, Luther

Coaching staff of the Year – Coe Coach john Oostendorp and staff

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com