Seward, Neb. – Friends Men's Wrestling took on two programs receiving votes in the NAIA rankings, squaring off against Concordia and Midland in a triangular meet. Despite conceding two forfeits at the 133 and 285 weight classes, the Falcons battled throughout both duals, ultimately splitting the day by earning one hard-fought victory.
Friends squared off against the Concordia Bulldogs first.
No. 12 ranked Braydon Pacheco, in the 125 pound weight class, started off the dual with a dominant Tech Fall win over Gabe Lujan, giving the Falcons a 5-0 early lead.
Concordia would grab the next three matches giving the Bulldogs a 16-5 lead.
In the 157 lb bout, Mason Moore took on Francisco Mendez and won via Tech Fall bringing the Falcons back within six points.
At 165 lbs, No. 24 ranked Cole Price of Concordia secured a pin to give the Bulldogs a commanding lead over Friends 22-10.
Concordia would grab three out of the last four matches to close out the dual giving them a 37-13 victory over Friends.
Below are the complete results of Friends vs. Concordia:
125 - Braydon Pacheco (Friends) over Gabe Lujan (Concordia) (TF 20-4 4:50)
133 - Concordia over Friends (Forfeit)
141 - Steven Barnes (Concordia) over Luke Kelley (Friends) (Fall 1:20)
149 - Hagen Heistand (Concordia) over Brady Duling (Friends) (MD 16-4)
157 - Mason Moore (Friends) over Francisco Mendez (Concordia) (TF 15-0 2:06)
165 - Cole Price (Concordia) over Logan Sell (Friends) (Fall 2:45)
174 - Benedict Holthaus (Friends) over Hunter Weimer (Concordia) (Dec 14-12)
184 - Barret Brandt (Concordia) over Jason Bowers (Friends) (Fall 2:38)
197 - Torrance Keehn (Concordia) over Logan Davidson (Friends) (Dec 11-7)
285 - Concordia over Friends (Forfeit)
Next Friends would take on the Midland University Warriors hoping to turn things around.
Freshman phenom Braydon Pacheco would continue his dominance at 125 lbs, with a quick pinfall win over Dylan Atherton in just 1:05, giving the Falcons a 6-0 start.
Luke Kelley at 141 lbs, would bounce back and also grab a pin over Caden Ospina. Kelley would get his pinfall in the first period as well at a time of 1:46.
Mason Moore at 157 lbs would also continue dominating, continuing the streak of 1st period pins for the Falcons, pinning Francisco Duran with a time of 1:27.
Midland gave up three forfeits to Friends in this dual, and it led up to a ranked matchup at the 184 lb weight class.
No. 16 Nate McDonald of the Warriors took on Friends' No. 22 Jason Bowers. McDonald took down Bowers with a 12-1 major decision win.
Logan Davidson would end the night for Friends grabbing a 16-0 TF win over Collin Stone.
Friends would cruise through this match up against Midland with a convincing 41-16 win over the Warriors.
Below are the complete results of Friends vs. Midland:
125 - Braydon Pacheco (Friends) over Dylan Atherton (Midland) (Fall 1:05)
133 - Midland over Friends (Forfeit)
141 - Luke Kelley (Friends) over Caden Ospina (Midland) (Fall 1:46)
149 - Tate Rusher (Friends) over Midland (Forfeit)
157 - Mason Moore (Friends) over Francisco Duran (Midland) (Fall 1:21)
165 - Logan Sell (Friends) over Midland (Forfeit)
174 - Benedict Holthaus (Friends) over Midland (Forfeit)
184 - Nate McDonald (Midland) over Jason Bowers (Friends) (MD 12-1)
197 - Logan Davidson (Friends) over Collin Stone (Midland) (TF 16-0 3:34)
285 - Midland over Friends (Forfeit)
Up next for Falcons wrestling is a Friday night double header against York. Men and Women's Wrestling will face off against the York Panthers. Women will go first at 5:00 PM and the Men will follow up shortly after. Wrestling will take place in York at the Freeman Center, Friday night.
