Wayne State College wrestlers took to the mat Saturday at the Dave Edmonds Open in South Sioux City, Neb.
 
The tournament featured Division I club teams from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and South Dakota State University, Augustana University for DII and Grand View, who are six-time NAIA national champions, competed along with many other teams.
 
“I think last year we came out of this meet with only two wins,” Head Coach Greg Vander Weil said. “This year, we came out with eight wins. It was a much-improved performance.”
 
Senior captain Devon Rupp (149 lbs.) had a strong showing on the day, going 3-2 overall with two pins over Shaun Van der Torre of Hastings College and Lane Nichols of Morningside College, and won by decision over Augustana’s Deven Donais, 9-8.
 
Sophomore Caleb Thomas (165 lbs.) picked up two wins on the day by decision over Graceland University’s Dakota Britt 6-0 and Dickinson State’s Logan Wagoner 8-2.
 
Other Wildcat wrestlers who picked up wins were 141-pound freshman Ethan Fitzler, via pin fall over Bailey Bright of Briar Cliff, 141-pound Matthew Reeves, via pin fall over Brent Sawyer of Briar Cliff ,and 184-pound junior Spencer Trout via decision over Ryan Sanchez of Jamestown.
 
“We had a lot of pins,” Vander Weil said. “Coaches love pins because it makes it more relaxing for us.”
 
At one point during the match, Trout against Sanchez, Trout was behind 4-0. He used reversal points and excellent conditioning to rally from behind to pick up the win.
 
“I think we’re getting more confident,” Vander Weil said. “The guys are wrestling well.
 
The Wildcats will meet again this Saturday for the Winona NCWA Invite in Rochester, Minn.