A/C matmen take part in Old Abe Holiday Duals

The Abbotsford/Colby wrestling coop took little time off over the holiday break, taking on teams from Wisconsin and Minnesota during the Old Abe Holiday Duals on the campus of UW - Eau Claire on Saturday, Dec. 28.

Only eight varsity wrestlers were on hand for the 14 team event, that pitted wrestlers against each other in dual action. In all, the co-op squared off against five other teams, and placed third in pool play and 11th overall.

The co-op lost its first match in pool play to Whitehall, 42-33, though Abby/ Colby won six of their eight matches, with the majority of Whitehall’s points coming via forfeit, a recurring theme for the co-op over the weekend.

In their next dual meet the grapplers took on Maple Grove, and once again won six of eight matches, but fell 45-34. In the ninth through twelfth place consolation bracket the Abby/Colby co-op fell to the C-E-C Lumberjacks 39-36. There were just four matches, and the co-op went 2-2.

Abby/Colby defeated Mondovi 36-30, once again going 2-2 in the four completed matches. In the final dual, Abby/Colby fell 45-36 against Pine Island, though in the five matches completed, the co-op won three via pinfalls.

River Halopka, Brandon Vicente and Carter Grewe all enjoyed spectacular results, winning all five of their matches.

In the 126 weight class, Halopka picked up all four victories through submission, with two pins coming in less than two minutes.

Brandon picked up two wins through forfeits in the 170 pound division, but of his other three matches, all were won via pinfall. Grewe saw a similar day play out, taking two wins in the 195 weight class through forfeits and then winning the remaining three matches with pins.

Talon Severson had a stellar day, going 4-1 in his five matches, with three of his wins also coming by way of pinfall. Jose Rodriguez competed in the 120 weight class and went 3-2 on the day. Rodriguez won two of his three matches on pins.

Devin Thums was in action in the 220 weight class, and like Rodriguez, went 3-2 at the Old Abe Invite in Eau Claire. Thums took home two wins by forfeit and one victory with a pin.

Angel Diaz was also 3-2 on Saturday, competing in the 182 pound division. Diaz also won two matches via forfeit and one by pinfall. David Vicente was the final varsity competitor, taking part in the 152 weight class, and finishing 2-3 with one of his victories achieved on a major decision.