Two Roughnecks Earn Titles in Wisconsin
Kenosha, Wisconsin – The University of Findlay wrestling team participated in the 48th Annual Jim Koch Open hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday, Dec. 7. The Rougnecks had 15 participants in the event and six of those wrestlers finished in the top five or better in their weight class.
Senior James Wimer was one of two champions as he wrestled unattached. Wimer, participating at 157 pounds, won by fall in his opener and followed that up with a tight 2-1 decision in the second round. In the semifinal, Wimer won in sudden victory to advance to the championship where he won a comfortable 7-3 match over Augustana's Jacob Tvinnereim.
Participating at 174 pounds, Nate Vandermeer, who is ranked ninth in the country, also took first place in his division after going 3-0. He opened with a bye and, in his first match, won by fall in just 32 seconds. He then won by major decision in the semifinal and then again won by major decision, 13-0, in the final to earn first place.
Freshman Branson Proudlock took third place in his first trip to Kenosha. He dominated in his opener with a 12-5 decision and then won by tech fall in the quarterfinal. After a loss in the semis, Proudlock won in a high-scoring 14-11 matchup against Hunter Burnett (Augustana). In the third place match, Proudlock won with a pin in 5:18 over Parkside's Robby Mutimer.
Freshman Caleb Carpenter took fourth place, going 4-2 in the event. Carpenter earned his way into the third round and proceeded to earn back-to-back pins over his opponents. In the consolation semifinals, Carpenter won by medical forfeit and then later lost in the third place match.
Ranked sixth in the country at 149 pounds, senior Devin Rogers took fifth place in the event with a 4-2 record. His day was highlighted by a win over Iowa's Zach Axmear in the quarterfinal. Rogers pinned Axmear in just 1:12.
Findlay's other fifth place finisher was freshman Devin Trevino who finished 3-2. He began his day with a pair of 3-1 decisions before losing in back-to-back matches. In his fifth place match, Trevino won by forfeit.
The Roughnecks are back in action next weekend when they head to the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Ind.