Warriors Conclude Season at GPAC Championships

SEWARD, Neb. – Midland University sent a team of eight wrestlers to the 2024 GPAC Men's Wrestling Championships, hosted by Concordia University, this weekend. The two-day championship meet, which also served as an NAIA National Qualifier, was held inside Friedrich Arena on Friday and Saturday in Seward, Nebraska. Midland finished in ninth place, scoring five points, while Doane won the team title, with 190 points.

Janson Pilkington wrestled at 125 pounds. In round one, Pilkington lost to Jordan O'Connor of Hastings, by fall at 1:13. In consolation round one, Pilkington lost to Bryson Bussinger of Concordia, by fall at 0:41.

Trevin Arlt and Adrian Delgado represented Midland at 141 pounds. Arlt received a first-round bye, then lost in the quarterfinals to Aric Williams of Dakota Wesleyan, by fall at 2:13. In consolation round two, Arlt picked up his 10th win of the season, by pinning Logan Hackman of Hastings, in 1:54. In consolation round three, Arlt lost to Pedro Corona of Jamestown, by technical fall, 15-0, at 4:50. Delgado also received a first-round bye.

In the quarterfinals, Delgado lost to No. 19-ranked Taylor Vasquez of Morningside, by technical fall, 19-4, at 3:27. In consolation round two, Delgado was defeated by Sebastian Macedo of Hastings, by fall at 2:24.

Zion Amerson competed in the 149-pound weight class. After receiving a first-round bye, Amerson lost to Tommy Beringer of Jamestown, by a 13-6 decision. In consolation round two, Amerson was defeated by Nicholas Freeland of Hastings, by decision, 13-8.

Trey McDougald was the Warriors' representative at 165 pounds. In round one, McDougald lost to Tommy Wentz of Concordia, by technical fall, 16-0, at 6:31. After a consolation round one bye, McDougald lost to Jackson Balmer of Briar Cliff, in consolation round two, by fall at 4:44.

Connor Rinn and Nate McDonald wrestled for the Warriors at 184 pounds. The Warriors' lone senior, Rinn won his first-round matchup over Trevor Leon of Hastings, by technical fall, 17-2, at 3:17, for his 15th win of the year. In the quarterfinals, Rinn lost to No. 6-ranked Hayden Wempen of Morningside, by major decision, 19-9. In consolation round two, Rinn lost to Hunter Weimer of Concordia, by a 4-3 decision.

McDonald dropped his opening round match to Caleb Connor of Morningside, by fall at 4:16. After a consolation round one bye, McDonald lost to No. 25-ranked Chase Stieb of Doane, by decision, 8-4.

Ryan Kocovsky wrestled at 197 pounds. In round one, Kocovsky lost to Christian Balmer of Briar Cliff, by fall at 1:26. After a consolation round one bye, Kocovsky was defeated by Kaleb Lind of Northwestern, by fall at 4:13.

"I'm proud of the guys and how they continued to get better throughout the season. There is still plenty of work to do, so that is the plan," commented head coach Doyle Trout. "We will take some time off and then get back to training. We are excited to see where we are at as a program a year from now."

The Warriors season concludes and departs one player from the roster, senior Connor Rinn.