Coe started the morning against NCAA Division II Minnesota State, the second ranked team in the nation. The middle match was against top-ranked and defending NCAA Division I National Champion Iowa and finished the day against three-time defending Junior College National Champion Iowa Central. The Tritons are currently ranked third in the latest junior college rankings.
Coe jumped out to a 10-0 lead over the Mavericks, as sophomore Clayton Rush (Aledo, Ill./Aledo) earned a 12-5 decision at 125 pounds. It was the first match of the season for Rush, who sat out the first two meets with an injury. Sophomore Brandon Ball (Columbus Junction, Iowa/Columbus Junction) continued things at 133 pounds, as he scored a 16-3 major decision. Freshman Johny Siegel (New London, Iowa/New London) added a 6-0 decision at 141 pounds for the 10-0 lead. Coe split the next four matches, with both losses coming to Mavericks that were ranked in the top seven in the nation. Senior Bryon Grothus (Davenport, Iowa/Assumption) and sophomore Tyler Burkle (Coggon, Iowa/North-Linn) both earned wins for Coe. It was the 44th straight win for Burkle. Coe sealed the win with a forfeit at 184 pounds and a 13-6 decision for junior Mitch Sander (Clarence, Iowa/North Cedar) at heavyweight. The Kohawks won 26-10.
The Kohawks didn't fare as well in the middle match, as they were faced with the top-ranked Hawkeyes for the second time in three years. With five Hawkeyes ranked in the top 19 in the country, along with four of them being first, second, or third, they were too much for Coe to handle. Iowa recorded six falls, a technical fall and a major decision in the win. Burkle saw his 44 match winning streak come to an end, as he fell to 11th-ranked Ryan Morningstar of Iowa.
Coe finished the meet strong with an impressive 42-6 win over third-ranked Iowa Central. Rush picked up the biggest win right out of the gates, as he earned a 23-8 major decision over sixth ranked Patrick Hunter. Kody Pudil (Iowa City, Iowa/West), Burkle, and Seth Rehn (Oceanside, Calif./Vista) all earned pins for the Kohawks.
The Kohawks return to action tomorrow as they host the Coe Invitational. Matches start at 9 a.m. at Eby Fieldhouse.
