Getting back into the flow of college wrestling season is always one of those things where you’re all fired up and excited and doing so many things, and then by April, you’re like totally spent. Only this year, April means the Olympic Trials! Yes, it’s the first week of November, it’s already snowed twice here in Minnesota and I might already be overdoing it here with Short Time Shots. But have no fear, it’s still pushing through the adversity that is week one of the college wrestling season. It’s too early to whine, I’m Jason Bryant.

Dual Meets:

* With Tommy Baranowski and Kevin Claunch from Bloodround on the call, Division II Davenport went into Alma College’s gym and beat the Division III Scots 25-20. Rock On. Tommy offered his referee-endorsing apologist viewpoint, while Claunch was spending so much time looking at wrestler’s feet. Ok, he’s a shoe guy, Promo Code Blood20, right guys?

* The Danny Irwin era at West Liberty got off to a strong start as the Division II Hilltoppers won nine of 10 bouts to defeat the NAIA Golden Bears of West Virginia Tech 48-3. Fastest fall of the night came at 285 where Chase Logan of West Liberty picked up the win in 1:41.

* The Nick Soto era at St. Andrews wasn’t as welcoming as Division II Belmont Abbey cruised past NAIA St. Andrews 43-6 in a matchup between North Carolina schools. Quick fall for Belmont Abbey was Chandler Echols’ 41-second fall at 174 pounds.

* In a dual that actually involved two teams from the same Division, that being Division III, Ferrum beat Greensboro 30-6. Both of Ferrum’s returning All-Americans, Levi Englman and Mario Vasquez earned victories at 133 and 141 – respectively of course. Both schools are relatively new programs.

* A fall at heavyweight by Bridgewater State’s Ryan Higgins was doubly impactful on Wednesday. Not only did his fall tie the team score at the end of the 10 bouts, it was the tie-breaking criteria as it was the dual’s only one and it lifted Bridgewater State past New England College 20-19. I watched most of that dual.

* Nebraska Wesleyan spoiled the debut of the new Division III program at Fontbonne, that’s in St. Louis. The Prairie Wolves won 38-13 with All-American Eron Haynes, the newly minted American Rivers Conference Wrestler of the Week, picking up a fall in 86 seconds at 133 pounds.

* In the NAIA, Graceland fell behind the brand new program at Central Methodist 12-0 after three weights, but would win the six of the next seven weights and come away with a 27-15 win in Fayette, Missouri.

* In the NJCAA, Niagara Community College opened up with a 28-20 win over Mercyhurst North East. Niagara won three of the last four weights to pull out the win, highlighted by Adam Mateo’s fall at 184 pounds. Northwest Tech beat Otero 42-18.

PROMO CODE WARNING:

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Notables on the Docket for November 7: