Figgins and Hanson punch tickets to C.R.
Jon Denham, Sports Information Director
February 21, 2008

Loras College wrestlers Jay Figgins and Erik Hanson will wrestle for the IIAC title in their weight classes tonight in Waverly, Iowa. Hanson (157#) won his opening match 6-3 over Coe's Bryon Grothus. Figgins (184#) won his opening match in 2:39 when he pinned Tyler Winkleman of Buena Vista.

The opening round (quarterfinal) wins set up semifinal rematches with opponents from regular season dual meets. Hanson avenged his regular season loss to Josh Terrel from Dubuque with a 5-3 win, scoring the final takedown with just seconds remaining in the final period. Figgins, who defeated Greg Lalla by the score of 8-3 on January 15th, won his semifinal by the score of 7-4.

Each Duhawk will match up with a Wartburg Knight in the final. At 157, Hanson will take on Aaron Wernimont, who is looking to repeat for Wartburg in his home gymnasium. Romeo Djoumessi is Figgins' opponent at 184. He will also be looking to repeat on his home turf. Last year, Djoumessi won a 3-2 decision over Figgins in the final last year. Back on November 29th of 2007, Djoumessi won a major decision 11-3 in Waverly.

The IIAC finals can be seen on Iowa Public Television beginning at 7:00 PM.