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The Lorian
March 19, 2020
Year of triumphs comes to sudden end
photo by DUHAWK ATHLETICS
The No. 1 Loras College wrestling team poses for a picture after qualifying eight wrestlers to the NCAA DIII National Championships. The Championships were suppose to be held in Des Moines but were cancelled. by CONNOR HALBMAIER sports writer
All good things must come to an end, and the wrestling season is no exception. However, that doesn’t mean that the end can’t also be a beginning. This year’s wrestling season was full of triumphs and historical firsts, which will pave the way for greater victories for the Duhawk wrestlers to come. For the Duhawks’ first meet of the year, they took on Buena Vista. This opening was as strong as they get, with Loras giving little ground as they took the match 51-6, marking their tenth victory in a row against Buena Vista.
A day after their opening match, the team traveled to Platteville, WI., to compete in the Super 8 Invitational. At the end of the day, three Duhawks walked away as gold medalists: 133 pound junior Mason McMillen, 165 pound first year Baylor Crigger, and 197 pound senior Guy Patron Jr.. Seniors Matt Randone and Kirk Mommsen, and first years Shane Liegel and Wyatt Wriedt all claimed second place, while juniors Zeke Smith and Slade Sifuentes took third place. Three more champion titles were claimed by the Duhawks during the Luther Open and the Grand View Open. Against Luther, Liegel took the Silver 184 bracket
by storm as he fought his way up to claim the gold medal. The Grand View Open saw senior Brandon Murray, 157 pounds, and sophomore Travis Willers, 165 pounds, take the champion titles. Dominating a team is alway a big moment, the most memorable in Loras wrestling history was the match against Wartburg. Since 2014, the Duhawks had been on a losing streak against this formidable opponent. That didn’t stop them from fighting the Knights with all they had. It was a close duel, but Loras notched a win 19-17, bringing an end to Wartburg’s reign of terror. The final competition of the season
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for the Duhawks this year was the NCAA Regionals. However, this year was different since eight wrestlers qualified for the championships. Five of the eight were returning wrestlers who had competed in previous championships: seniors Clint Lembeck and Eddie Smith, as well as Murray, Patron, and junior Jacob Krakow. Three other qualifiers were going to be newcomers to the most important tournament of the year: sophomore Daniel Ruiz, Liegel, and Wreidt. As a team, the Duhawks took first place out of eighteen, marking the first time the program has ever won a regional team title. “Winning the conference championship for the first time in program history was probably one of the greatest nights of my life,” said Head Coach TJ Miller, reviewing the season’s h i g h l i g h t s . “ Tw e n t y TJ MILLER eight years of Wartburg’s dominance was snapped in a matter of an hour and a half dual meet. It was pretty surreal to be a part of that streak from the beginning to the end. Winning the regional tournament for the first time was also amazing. The guys on the team have been incredible. This group is a Hall of Fame caliber class.” Coach Miller, along with his assistant coach Trevor Kittleson, were named the Lower Midwest Regional Head Coach and Assistant Coach of the year, a well deserved award. Now, all that’s left for the team is to TREVOR prepare themselves for the KITTLESON next season. They have a lot of work ahead of them, but this team has proven time and time again that they are more than capable of rising to the challenge.
Coronavirus impact on NCAA DIII Track and Field Indoor Championships
by MARION EDWARDS sports writer
As news of the coronavirus spreads, the effects of it have made its way to Iowa, ruining a possibly historic moment for all of Loras College Athletics’ history. Set to compete this past weekend, the Loras College Track and Field Team anticipated the NCAA DIII National Indoor Track and Field Championships in Winston Salem, NC at the JDL Fast Track. The NCAA issued an official statement canceling all spring and winter championships. With the Loras women’s and men’s track and field teams preparing for a weekend of intense competition and fun, the statement came amidst it all while in Winston-Salem. On Mar. 12, 2020, the athletes were alerted that no outside spectators would be allowed into the facility during the championship. Many of the athletes had family and friends who made the long journey to watch them compete and to see the hard work they had put in during the pre-season. NCAA President Mark Emmert issued a COVID-19 statement regarding limited attendance. “The decision is in the best interest of public health including that of coaches, MARK EMMERT administrators, fans,
photo by DUHAWKS ATHLETICS
Loras women and men’s Track and Field national competitors pause for a photo. They were preparing for the intense competition during the NCAA DIII National Indoor Track and Field Championships in North Carolina.
and most imp or tantly our studentathletes,” Emmert said. “We recognize the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families. Today, we will move forward and conduct championships consistent with the current information and will continue to monitor and make adjustments as needed.” Unfortunately, within 48 hours, another spur of bad news was placed upon athletes
around the world, effective Mar. 13. “Based on the advice received from state, federal, and other public health authorities, with the priority being focusing on the health and well-being of our campus communities, it is with unprecedented sadness the Presidents Council concluded that all conference competition will be canceled for the remainder of the spring season,” said Emily Adlfinger, Director of At h let ic C ommunic at ions. “ The
cancellation includes all A-R-C spring regular season comp etition, championships, and awards”. Sophomore Elayna Bahl was set to compete in the women’s 60 meter hurdle dash at the 2020 NCAA Division III
ELAYNA BAHL
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