PELLA — Starting out with a 34-6 victory over Buena Vista University, the Central College wrestling team was downed 39--1 in the second match against Wartburg College Saturday afternoon.
           
Central (3-1, 3-1 American Rivers Conference) started strong against the Beavers (2-3, 2-3 conference) with five bonus-point victories including falls by Rob Areyano (junior, 157 pounds, Selma, Calif.) and Griffen McBride (senior, 184 pounds, Pleasantville).
           
Luis Ramos (sophomore, 141, Selma, Calif.), who transferred to Central at semester, registered a 16-0 technical fall.
           
"He's extremely offensive and dangerous on top," Van Kley said. "He really attacks bonus points and attacks pins, in duals those are really important."
           
Freshman Brock Beck (Grinnell) had a 14-2 major decision at 149 pounds and Samuel Zook (senior, Oak Harbor, Wash.) earned a 10-1 major decision at 285 pounds.
           
"When you're going through the conference duals for the first time it's a big match," "Beck's really kept his head and opened it up for us to get bonus points."
           
Chase Poston (junior, 125 pounds, Olympia, Wash.), Shandon Akeo (senior, 133 pounds, Honolulu, Hawaii, Kapolei HS) and Christian Wilson (sophomore, 174 pounds, Houston Texas, Cypress Ridge HS) all picked up victories by decision.
           
Against the Knights, Central dropped six matches by decision including a trio by only two points. They were docked a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct.
           
"I thought our effort was decent, we just need to put more offense with it," Van Kley said. "We had matches that we were in but we've got to put points with it."
           
Central will complete its third triangular next Saturday in Indianola against Simpson College and Luther College. Central will start with the Norse at 1:30 p.m. and face the Storm at 4:30 p.m.