Wrestling Faces Tough Field at Luther Open
DECORAH, Iowa – The Eureka men's and women's wrestling teams competed against a tough field at the Luther Open on Saturday. The men's side featured over 500 entries, while the women's side had over 250 participants.
The Red Devil women finished the day with three place-winners, led by McKenzie Cook, who took third place at 145 pounds. Cook won her first three matchups by either fall or technical fall before losing by technical fall in the semifinals. She bounced back in the third-place match, winning by technical fall.
"I thought it was a good tournament overall," Cook said after the meet. "It's definitely a good one to start off the senior season. I'm excited to see what this season holds for myself and the rest of the team."
Natallie Tobuk and Sofia Kawano also earned top finishes for the Red Devils, each taking fifth place in their respective weight classes. Tobuk began her day with an overtime win, but then lost by fall in her second matchup. She rebounded with four consecutive victories, including three by decision and one by forfeit, to claim fifth place at 131 pounds. Kawano started with a loss by technical fall but came back with a win by fall. She then lost a close decision, 5-4, in her next match, sending her to the fifth-place bout at 103 pounds, where she won by decision, 8-2.
On the men's side, the lightweights led the way for the Red Devils. At 141 pounds, Gaige Owens began the day with a win by technical fall. He was disqualified in his next match but defeated fellow Red Devil Nathan Berta by major decision. Owens followed that with a close decision victory, 9-8, before falling in another tight match, 5-4, which ended his day.
Trevor Hedges opened his day with a bye at 133 pounds, but then lost by decision, 12-8, in his next match, sending him to the consolation bracket. Hedges bounced back with a major decision win, followed by a quick fall in 27 seconds. He ended his day with a loss by decision, 8-5.
At 125 pounds, Jake Jozwiak also started with a bye, followed by a win by decision, 16-9. However, he lost by technical fall in his next bout, then was pinned, ending his day.
UP NEXT
The men's team returns to action for a tri-dual with SIU Edwardsville and Blackburn on Saturday, Nov. 16, while the women will compete at the Lindenwood Duals on Sunday, Nov. 17.