Cardinals bounce back, post a pair of victories in Iowa

FORT DODGE, Iowa — After a learning experience last weekend in Montana, the North Idaho College wrestling team learned, moved on and did exactly what needed to be done on its second road trip of the season.

NIC, ranked in a tie for No. 20 in the NJCAA, beat Iowa Western 30-19, then edged host Iowa Central (ranked tied for sixth) 20-19 in a pair of duals on Thursday night.

“The guys after last weekend (losses at NAIA schools Montana State-Northern and University of Providence), then jumping on a plane, they responded and did what we wanted them to do,” NIC coach Pat Whitcomb said. “Even those that lost, they battled. From start to finish, we got after it.”

NIC had pins from Jacob Garrison (125 pounds), Hunter Gregerson (197) and Connor Sullivan (285) against Iowa Western of Council Bluffs.

Iowa Central has eight NJCAA titles, the last coming in 2017.

“We knew they’d be a little tougher and those guys are right on our heels for national titles,” said Whitcomb, whose program has 14 national titles, the last coming in 2013. “All of our guys stepped up.”

Against Iowa Central, Gregerson earned a pin at 197 to give the Cardinals a 20-16 lead.

“Hunter really stepped up and got those pins,” Whitcomb said. “It was a good effort by everyone, getting on the road and being ready to go tonight.”

NIC competes in the Grand View Open on Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa. Tonight’s scheduled dual with Sierra Community College was canceled.

NORTH IDAHO 30, IOWA WESTERN 19

125 — Jacob Garrison, NIC, p. John Cleristor, 4:44. 133 — Jacob Ruiz, IW, md. Nicholas Hara, 11-3. 141 — Dylan Lockwood, NIC, tf. Daniel Leal, 18-2. 149 — Thomas Lisher, IW, p. Hassan Hawthorne, 3:53. 157 — Cooper McCullough, NIC, d. Brandon Burgos, 6-0. 165 — Izaiah Duran, NIC, md. Pedro Medina, 16-7. 174 — Olen Brattin, IW, p. Trager Abatti, 4:36. 184 — Tim Barr, IW, d. Christian Grover, 8-7. 197 — Hunter Gregerson, NIC, p. Ethan Poppe, 2:49. 285 — Connor Sullivan, NIC, p. Koby Fike, 1:17.

NORTH IDAHO 20, IOWA CENTRAL 19

125 — Kevin Radcliff, IC, md. Jacob Frias, 12-3. 133 — Nicholas Hara, NIC, tf. Joshua Badillo, 23-4. 141 — Damond Lockner, IC, d. Dylan Lockwood, 5-2. 149 — Hassan Hawthorne, NIC, d. Yarhoski Aldiva, 11-8. 157 — Ethan Karsten, IC, p. Bryce Parson, 4:48. 165 — Izaiah Duran, NIC, d. Alex Leone, 9-2. 174 — Ashton Eyler, IC, d. Trager Abatti, 8-2. 184 — Christian Grover, NIC, d. Reymundo Vasquez, 9-2. 197 — Hunter Gregerson, NIC, p. Cannon Kelly, 2:19. 285 — Noah Broderson, IC, d. Connor Sullivan, 7-6.