GRAND RAPIDS -- With just a few days of practice under his belt, Desepa Allen needed a victory for the Minnesota West wrestling team.
In the Bluejays' Minnesota College Athletic Conference opener Wednesday night, the 197-pounder delivered a 3-2 win, sending MW to a 22-16 victory against Itasca.
"It was fun," MW head coach Bob Purcell said. "It was a good team effort; we won as a team. There were a lot of good, close matches."
Facing Wes Dodd, and with the Bluejays leading 19-10, MW needed one win to take the lead.
With a takedown in the final period, Allen sealed the one-point victory, giving the Bluejays a 22-10 lead.
ADVERTISEMENT
Itasca earned a fall at heavyweight, but Allen's victory preserved MW's 22-16 victory, giving the Bluejays a 1-0 start in MCAC dual action.
"It's always important to start 1-0," Purcell said. "It paid off to wrestle tough competition."
While Allen helped finish the dual, the lower weights gave the Bluejays the lead.
Luke Schlee gave MW a 4-0 lead with a 10-1 major decision at 125 pounds.
Danny Cordido suffered a 6-5 loss at 133, as Itasca pulled within one point, 4-3.
Durvon Thompson made sure that would be as close as the Vikings could get. At 141 pounds, Thompson earned a 7-4 decision, increasing the lead to 7-3.
Jamal McAllister received a forfeit at 149 pounds, as MW opened up a 13-3 lead.
Ryan Davis won a 7-4 decision at 157, but Bryon Louis lost a 7-2 decision at 165 pounds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ryan Teal earned a close 7-6 victory at 174 pounds increasing the lead to 19-6.
Julio Casillas lost 8-0 at 184, setting up Allen's victory at 197.
The Bluejays (1-1) will travel to North Iowa Community College in Mason City, Iowa on Wednesday.
125 Schlee (MW) maj. dec. 10-1, Prudy, 4-0
133 Wilceck (IT) dec. 6-5 Cordido, 4-3
141 Thompson (MW) dec. 7-4 Murphy, 7-3
149 McAllister (MW) forfeit, 13-3
157 Davis (MW) dec. 7-4 VanPolmerbrock, 16-3
ADVERTISEMENT
165 Murth (IT) dec. 7-2 Louis, 16-6
174 Teal (MW) dec. 7-6 Freesman, 19-6
184 Babcock (IT) maj. dec. 8-0 Casillas, 19-10
197 Allen (MW) dec. 3-2 Dodd, 22-10
Hwt. Harland (IT) Musa, 22-16
