PARK CITY, Kan. - Both Friends University wrestling programs kicked off the season at the annual Falcon Open at Heartland Credit Union Arena. Women's wrestling competed on Friday (Oct. 30) and the men's on Saturday (Oct. 31).

 

Caitlin Van Praag (127 lbs) - The freshman gathered three wins to get herself in the championship match in the freshman/sophmore bracket. Van Praag ultimately lost in her finals match to earn silver

Ginger Landis (103 lbs) - Landis in her bracket lost in her quarterfinal bout but battled all the way back in the consolation rounds to get to her 3rd place match. Landis would get the fall at 2:22 to earn the bronze and go 5-1 on the day.

Danica Dautel (131 lbs) - Dautel tech falled or pinned her way to her semifinal match in which she lost, but battled hard for a 4th place finish over the weekend.

Men's Top Performers:

Braydon Pacheco (125 lbs) - The returning All-American showed his dominance at the Falcon Open pinning or tech falling his way through his bracket. Pacheco would get the fall at 4:00 over his opponent in the finals to earn a 1st place finish.

Carter Krier (141 lbs) - The sophomore cruised his way to the championship match and lost a tough one via tech fall. Krier went 3-1 on the day earning his silver finish.

Wyatt Gardner (149 lbs), Sam Duling (165 lbs), and Benedict Holthaus (197 lbs) all earned a 4th place finish in their respective brackets for a great start to the season for the Falcons.


Full results for the Falcon Open

Up next for the women's team is the Ottawa Open on Saturday (Nov. 7). Men's wrestling will have a triangular dual against SIUE and Maryville on Sunday (Nov. 8)