Jon Denham, Sports Information Director

January 18, 2008

The Loras College wrestling team is back in the Brute/Adidas NWCA Top 30 in a big way this week after a strong showing at the Budd Whitehill Duals January 11-12 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Opening day dual wins by the Duhawks over #15 York College and #14 Rhode Island College set up a semifinal matchup with #5 SUNY-Cortland on Saturday. A loss to the eventual winners set up a third place match with host Lycoming College (#13), which the Duhawks won 21-18. The rankings released this week by the National Wrestling Coaches Association have the Duhawks at #12 after their 3-1 weekend.

Loras was led by 4-0 weekends from sophomore Erik Hanson (into 157# Top 10 at #9), senior Jay Figgins (#6 at 184#), and junior Jordan Loy. Trevor Kaufman is also in the Top 10 at the 285 pound division.

Head coach Randy Steward was openly pleased with the weekend, saying, “It was a big weekend for us, no doubt about that. We weren’t wrestling our best early in the year, and hopefully we can sort of turn the corner now. We’ve got a big weekend (at #8 Coe College Friday and at #11 UW-Stevens Point Saturday) coming up. Our guys have got to be ready for two intense matchups.”

POLL