PLATTEVILLE, WIS. — Four titles and 17 placewinners provided a promising start to the Central College wrestling season at the Super 8 Invitational hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Saturday.
No team scores were kept in the six-team invitational.
"Overall, it was a decent start," coach Eric Van Kley said. "It's the first tournament of the year and you're always going to see some things you want to improve on. At the same time, I thought we had a lot of positive things, especially the number of finalists and place winners."
Making his debut after sitting out a year as a transfer, Cam Timok (sophomore, Glen Allen, Va. Hermitage HS) went 4-0 to take the title at 133 pounds. His training partner C.J. Pestano (junior, Torrance, Calif.) picked up three victories to win at 125 pounds.
"Cam did everything we asked of him last year," Van Kley said. "He's put himself in position to have a great season. It was fun to finally watch him compete."
In the tournament's largest bracket, Ryan Vandall (senior, Phoenix, Ariz., Moon Valley HS)needed five wins to take the crown at 165 pounds. He works out with Jeremy Vester in practice (sophomore, Oak Harbor, Wash.), who won a champion at 165 pounds.
"They push each other every day in practice," Van Kley said. "The internal competition in our program is helping us grow. The team is really embracing it."
Timok was one of several newcomers to make a strong debut. Fellow transfer Daniel Radcliffe (freshman, Lockport, Ill., Lockport Township HS) placed third at 141 pounds. Freshmen Matt Pool (Tucson, Ariz., Magnet HS) and Joey McIntyre Jr. (Hoffman Estates, Ill., St. Viator HS)also finished third at 149 and 184 pounds, respectively.
"We've got some upperclassmen leadership, but we also have some young talent that gives us better depth and balance," Van Kley said.
Six other Central wrestlers placed within in the top-three of their weight classes, including 285-pounder Jaime Miranda (senior, Aberdeen, Wash.).
"Jaime did a lot of good things," Van Kley said. "He's paid his dues in the program and it's fun to see him have success."
The next competition on the schedule for the Dutch is Sunday, November 13 at the Harold Nichols Open on Iowa State University's campus.
