By Harrison LaLone, Sports Information student assistant

Alma, Mich. - The Alma College wrestling team played host to Davenport University at Art Smith Arena on Tuesday (Jan. 16), falling to the Panthers 24-21. For the second time in three duals, the team score came down to the heavyweight class, where freshman Austin Popp (Clinton, Mich. / Clinton) dropped a 6-4 decision to Davenport's Weston DeHaven. Two Scots registered victories by pinfall in the latter half of the evening, keeping the dual within grasp.

What Happened

• At 165 pounds, freshman Joe Vondrasek (Owosso, Mich. / Owosso) took over a tight match, pinning Brandon Dyke with just 30 seconds remaining in the third period.
• Sophomore Brendan Ladd (Ortonville, Mich. / Brandon) improved his season record to 28-4 with a 6-0 decision over Jordan Ringler. Ladd entered the dual ranked eighth in the latest d3wrestle.com poll.
• Freshman Wesley Barnes (Grand Ledge, Mich. / Grand Ledge), in a last-second decision by Head Coach Jeremiah Tobias, was bumped up to the 197-pound class. On the attack from the start, Barnes strong-armed Jacob Holmes, pinning him halfway through the second period, earning the second pin of the night for the Scots.
• Prior to Ladd's 141-pound bout, freshmen Austin Wieczorek (Kentwood, Mich. / East Kentwood) and Chase Beecher (Clio, Mich. / Clio) each contribute three points for the Scots. Wieczorek took a 7-2 decision at 125 pounds, while Beecher took the 133-pound match 12-8.
• Barnes' performance left the teams tied at 21-21 heading into the 285-pound bout between Austin Popp and Weston DeHaven. A tight 6-4 decision in favor of DeHaven decided the dual for the Panthers.

Notables

• Ladd has won 23 of his last 25 matches, dating all the way back to the Trine Invitational on Nov. 11.
• Wieczorek has now won four of his last five matches and holds an 11-7 record on the season.
• Wrestling at 197 pounds for the first time this season, Barnes' victory on Tuesday snapped a nine-match losing streak and earned him his second pin of the season.
• Despite a rough start this season, Vondrasek has won two of three since the calender flipped to 2018, one by major decision and one by pinfall. His loss came to the seventh-ranked wrestler in the country, Olivet's Tyler Grimsley.

Up Next

The Scots will host the Alma Open on Saturday, Jan. 20 before heading to Wheaton College (IL) for the Pete Wilson Invitational. The Alma Open is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.

Results (Davenport 24, Alma 21)

125 - Austin Wieczorek (Alma) decision Caleb Braley (Davenport), 7-2 (Alma 3, Davenport 0)
133 - Chase Beecher (Alma) decision Cody Orcutt (Davenport), 12-8 (Alma 6, Davenport 0)
141 - No. 8 Brendan Ladd (Alma) decision Jordan Ringler (Davenport), 6-0 (Alma 9, Davenport 0)
149 - Cole Menck (Davenport) pinned Jake Anderson (Alma), 6:37 (Alma 9, Davenport 6)
157 - Tyler Brewer (Davenport) pinned Gus Richter (Alma), 4:05 (Davenport 12, Alma 9)
165 - Joe Vondrasek (Alma) pinned Brandon Dyke (Davenport), 6:31 (Alma 15, Davenport 12)
174 - Sam Groves (Davenport) decision Erik Arnegard (Alma), 5-1 (Alma 15, Davenport 15)
184 - Kyle Nixon (Davenport) wins via forfeit (Davenport 21, Alma 15)
197 - Wesley Barnes (Alma) pinned Jacob Holmes (Davenport), 4:11 (Davenport 21, Alma 21)
285 - Weston DeHaven (Davenport) decision Austin Popp (Alma), 6-4 (Davenport 24, Alma 21)