Permanent link for GVSU Wrestling Club Grits Out Solid Performances at Fall Brawl Open on October 28, 2024

FLINT, MI ý The GVSU-WC entered the 2024 Fall Brawl Open at Mott Community College with a determined spirit and a point to prove. Despite the fierce competition, the Lakers displayed remarkable resilience, delivering promising performances in a day filled with challenges and triumphs.

At 133 lbs, sophomore Zach Koenig turned in a gritty effort to snag a fourth-place finish. It wasn't an easy road, as Koenig was caught in the second round by Vicente Navarro of Henry Ford College, losing by fall at 6:30. Undeterred, he bounced back. He delivered a 29-second pin over Keenan Pake from Mott Community College, giving GVSU a big lift. Despite dropping his other two matches, Koenig's persistence shone through.

"Zach's got that scrapper mentality," head coach Ryan Lancaster said. "He took his lumps but came back and showed what he's made of with that lightning-fast pin."

Unattached wrestler Zach Egan had a rollercoaster ride at 157 lbs, but his win was hard-earned. Egan got off to a rough start, getting caught by Dayveon Rupert of Southwest Michigan Community College in 3:51. He bounced back strong, putting Alex Daniel of the Michigan Club on his back in just 40 seconds in the consolation bracket. Egan's day ended with a loss to Carter Simota of Henry Ford College, who scored the fall at 3:28.

"There's no quit in Zach," Lancaster remarked. "He got right back up after a tough loss and took care of business. He's got the potential to be a real force for us."

In a remarkable women's folkstyle exhibition match, Krysta Luce made quick work of Alex Anguina from Michigan, pinning her in the first period and electrifying the GVSU bench. The exhibition might have been outside the official bracket, but Luce did not doubt her talent.

"Krysta went out there and dominated," said Lancaster. "She's setting the tone for our women's program, and I can't wait to see where she goes from here."

Freshman Jacob Batha had his work cut out in the 141 lb bracket. He started against Henry Ford's Daniel Gonzalez-Cancel, who took the match via technical fall, 15-0. Batha received a consolation bye but fell short in the semi against John Hurley, losing by a major decision (15-7).

"Jacob's day didn't go as planned, but he kept swinging," Lancaster said. "He's learning with each match, and that's what matters."

The day's highlight for GVSU came from Luke Lyons, who took second place in the 197 lb division. Lyons narrowly lost his opening match to Lionel Baldwin of Michigan, 2-1, but came back with a vengeance, pinning NCWA National Qualifier Anthony Janowski of Akron in 3:50 to secure the runner-up spot.

"Luke's a warrior," Lancaster said proudly. "He didn't let that one-point loss rattle him. He regrouped and delivered a statement pin."

At heavyweight, Blake Wilson's first taste of collegiate competition didn't come with a win, but it did provide plenty of learning opportunities. In the opening round, he dropped a tight 13-8 decision to Lance Gray of Henry Ford. After a consolation bye, Wilson's day ended with a fall to DeAngelo Williams at 1:27.

"Blake showed flashes of what he's capable of," Lancaster said. "He's got the tools; with more experience, he'll be a difference-maker."

Coach Ryan Lancaster, while acknowledging the difficulties faced at the Fall Brawl, saw plenty of reasons to be hopeful. "It was a challenging day, no doubt, but we showed heart and glimpses of our potential. Our team fought hard, and that's what I'm excited to see."

As the Lakers look forward to the rest of the season, Lancaster and his squad will sharpen their skills, focus on conditioning, and fine-tune their techniques. The results may not have gone their way yet, but GVSU is ready to grind.

"We're laying the foundation for something bigger," Lancaster said. "Every match, win or lose, brings us closer to where we want to be. The important thing is to keep pushing and growing as a team."

The Fall Brawl may not have ended with the Lakers at the top of the podium, but their grit and determination suggest brighter days ahead for the Grand Valley State University Wrestling Club.

Categories: Wrestling
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