The Wayne State College Wildcat wrestling team started off their season at a National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) opener on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Colorado State University. 

“In this match, 18 Wildcat Wrestlers took the mats against CSU, Utah Tech and Sacramento State university,” Head Coach Greg Vander Weil said. 

With six first place wrestlers, the Wildcats came away with 33 wins and 22 losses. Tyler Kelly was 2-0, Clayton Harris was 3-0, Chase Eggleston and Landon Templar tied at 4-0, Gavin Zoucha was 3-0 and Dylan Zoucha went 3-0.  

There were four wrestlers who placed second. Lane Barton went 2-1, Mohamed Siidow went 3-1, Isaac Voboril 2-1 and 197 lbs. Dakota Spann went 2-1.  

The Wildcats also had two third place finishes from Sam Tisher (1-2) and Chance Sjulin (2-1). 

The Wildcats also had a duel with CSU. The Wildcats won the duel with 48 wins to CSU winning 18. With pins from Dakota Spann, Anthony Spann, Harris, Eggleston, Templa and Sjulin. The Zoucha brothers, Gavin and Dylan, both received forfeits. 

 “We saw we had a lot of success,” Vander Weil said. “Individually each guy had a tough match.”  

When someone forfeits, it counts as a pin.  

“You feel cool when someone doesn’t want to wrestle against you,” Dylan Zoucha said. 

The team dynamic is positive this year with all the guys working hard.  

“I like the team bonding aspect, especially this year,” Harris said. “It will be a long season, but it will be fun.”