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DCTC Wrestlers Make Personal Progress at Moorhead Open
12/06/05
MOORHEAD, Minn.-- The DCTC Blue Knight wrestling took part in the Second-Annual Minnesota State University - Moorhead (MSUM) Dragon Open. While only three DCTC wrestlers competed in action on Dec. 3, the meet was not without excitement.
"We're beginning to see guys step up and personally wrestle at a whole new level," stated first-year head coach Curt Foley. "I keep preaching to these young men that it's not all about wins and losses at this point, it's about preparing for February and the NJCAA National Tournament."
Sophomore Nate Brackenbury returned to the mat on Dec. 3. After receiving a bye in the first round, Brackenbury lost an 11-3 decision to Ridgewater's Clay Hoeck at 149 pounds. Brackenbury then won a 10-5 decision against Nate Peine from Jamestown College before being pinned by Augsburg's Dominic Dvorak at the 5:57 mark.
At 174 pounds, DCTC sophomore Kyle Muehlburg received a forfeit before moving on to the second round where he faced MSUM's Skip Toops.
Muehlburg, who earlier this season lost a lopsided 17-6 decision to Toops, brought the match down to the closing seconds before losing an 8-4 decision. In his last match of the day, Muehlburg lost to Ridgewater's Scott Thompson 7-4 in another match decided in the closing seconds.
"Even if we would have had 30 guys wrestling here today, Kyle would have been the Blue Knight MVP of the tournament due to the way he wrestled," said Foley. "Kyle wrestled with determination, and in doing so, closed the gap on some very talented wrestlers."
DCTC's Matt Siems (184 lbs.) also stepped up his performance in this tournament, gaining an 8-2 decision against Jason Waidzulis of the University of Minnesota.
In his first match, Siems lost a 15-3 major decision to MSUM's Matt Nelson. Siems then faced University of Minnesota wrestler Jason Waidzulis and gained an 8-2 decision.
"It was a breakout match for Matt, he wrestled with confidence and it paid off," noted Foley.
Siems then faced University of Mary wrestler Ezra Koch. Like Muehlburg, Siems was getting a second look at a wrestler he had faced earlier in the season. In their first match Siems lost a 6-0 decision. However, Saturday's match found Koch narrowly earning a 7-6 victory.
Foley said he remains optimistic for the remainder of the Blue Knights' schedule.
"While we still have a lot of work to do, I would say we are right on track and it's exciting," commented Foley.
The Blue Knight wrestlers are in action again Dec. 10 when they travel to St. Cloud for the Husky Open.
Note: The previously scheduled Ridgewater dual meet in Willmar, slated for Dec. 13, has been cancelled.
