Pflanz takes sixth at Peter Willson-Wheaton Invitational

Pflanz takes sixth at Peter Willson-Wheaton Invitational

Junior Bryan Pflanz placed sixth at the Pete Wilson-Wheaton Invitational in Illinois on Friday, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Jan. 31. The Elizabethtown College wrestling team took eight individuals to the competition to face-off against an array of teams, nine of which were nationally-ranked.

Junior Mike Lammer was confident about the weekend. “I expect the whole squad to make it on the podium over the weekend,” he said. “Everyone has the ability to place top eight and I believe we can place everyone in the top eight.” Despite high hopes, Pflanz was the only wrestler for Etown to make it to the podium.

Pflanz was the only wrestler to compete on Saturday after three wins on Friday. Two of the wins were against seeded wrestlers. Pflanz was victorious over Charlie Heyob from Mount St. Joseph University. Then, a medical forfeit from John Carrol University’s Sal Corrao put Pflanz in the quarterfinals of the 133 pound weight class. However, Pflanz went to the consolation bracket after a 1-8 loss against Joseph Her of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. After the defeat, Pflanz rebounded with a 5-2 upset over fourth-seeded Brendan Gould from Augustana College, which would guarantee him two matches on Saturday and the possibility of placing as high as fifth and no lower than eighth.

Pflanz recorded his fourth pin of the season in just 75 seconds in his first match of the consolation quarter finals on Saturday against another seeded opponent. In the consolation semifinals, he faced Sean Ambrocio, a returning 125-pound All-American and nationally-ranked wrestler. Ambrocio defeated the Etown junior 4-1. In the battle for fifth place, Pflanz lost an 11-9 fight against Martino Balsiger from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, earning him sixth place and a 4-3 record for the weekend. His season record after the weekend improved to 9-14.

“I’m pretty content with the results from this weekend since it was the best I wrestled all season, but I still feel like there’s a lot of room to improve,” Pflanz said. “The biggest challenge was having to bounce back after my quarterfinal loss and beat the fourth seed to move on the second day.”

Other wrestlers also faced tough competition while at the tournament. Etown’s active career wins leader, senior Zeke Zimmer, lost his opening match, 3-7, to returning NCAA qualifier Jamie Jakes. However, Zimmer came back in his next face-off at 174 pounds with a 16-0 victory. In the next round Zimmer fell four points short of this opponent, 5-9.

Lammer, at 149 pounds, received a first-round bye and then faced defending weight class champion, Dan Miriam, from John Carrol University. Miriam, the defending weight class champion, defeated Lammer, 9-1, sending him to the consolation bracket. Lammer rebounded in his next match, winning 4-3 over Western New England University’s Sean McAllister. A 2-5 loss to a seeded opponent in the next round would end Lammer’s chances of advancement.

Junior Chad Lammer lost in his first match, but responded in the next with a 7-6 victory over Dylan Dolph from Ohio Northern University. Lammer continued success in the 141-pound weight class with a 14-5 win, but lost a 4-2 battle to eighth-seed Josh Decatur from Baldwin Wallace University.

Sophomore Luke Fernandez, at 184 pounds, has been strong, winning seven out of eight matches since the start of 2015. He advanced to the quarterfinals of his weight due to a bye and an injury default. When Fernandez reached the mat, and Augustana College opponent pinned him in 3:41. In Fernandez’s consolation match, he fell short of victory by one point in a 9-10 loss.

The team is hopeful for upcoming competition. “Our team has had some moments of really good performances and other moments where we can definitely build upon,” Mike Lammer said. “It would have been nice to have put together a stronger first semester but the second semester is a new start and a bunch of our guys are excited to have a successful finish. We know what we have to do to get to the national tournament and we have a group of guys who are willing to put in the work to get there.”

Pflanz is also optimistic when looking to compete in the postseason. “I feel really good looking forward to the remainder of the season because I feel like myself and our team will keep improving and be fully ready to go come the postseason,” he said.

The Blue Jays will head to King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. for a match at 7 p.m. against the Monarchs on Friday, Feb. 6.

 

Karley Ice
CONTRIBUTOR
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