Wrestling

Wrestling Heads to Ashland Open
         The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men’s wrestling team travels to the Ashland Open this Saturday.
         The Cougars are looking to improve and pick up some more experience on their trip to Ohio.
         “Ashland is in our region,” said SIUE wrestling coach Khris Whelan. “It is going to be a great test.”
         SIUE has opened the season with a 0-3 start after falling to Upper Iowa 23-13 last Wednesday at the Vadalabene Center.
         “We wrestled tough,” said Whelan. “We are just inexperienced. They battled, but just didn’t come out on top.”
         John Ficht (Burbank) has continued where he left off last season. Ficht, who is wrestling at 165 pounds, is 6-2 on the year. He defeated the Peacocks’ Brady Hakerman 2-0 last week.
         Joe Rujawitz (Belleville) defeated Upper Iowa’s Cory Schmitz 2-1 at 149 pounds to run his mark to 3-3 on the season.
         “I think he is getting over the hump.” said Whelan.
         Eric Scholle (Waukegan) notched a 5-0 win over Upper Iowa’s C.J. MacNaught at 174 pounds for his third win of the year.
         “Eric wrestled tough,” said Whelan. “It was nice to see him pick up another win."
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                  -siue cougars-