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Rob Areyano
Dan L. Vander Beek Photography
Rob Areyano gets his hand raised in victory Saturday

Men's Wrestling

Areyano’s title headlines Dutch wrestling invitational

Third appearance in title match at home tournament for senior

PELLA — A title at 149 pounds for senior Rob Areyano (Selma, Calif.) highlighted the home Under Armour Invitational for the Central College wrestling team Saturday.

No team scores were kept this year at the meet. Wrestlers representing 14 different colleges competed.

"This is probably the best tournament we've had in 10 years," coach Eric Van Kley said. "We had teams came from all over the Midwest because they wanted to wrestle. A tip of the hat to all of them for making the trip."

Areyano capped off his 4-0 day with a 14-7 decision in the title bout over Deville Dentis of North Iowa Area Community College, the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the National Junior College Athletic Association according to InterMat Wrestling. He had a pair of pins and a major decision in his other three matches.

"Rob is starting to hit his potential that he knows he has and that we know he has," Van Kley said. "He's trained in the right way and he's making the right choices. When he does that, he's pretty special to watch. I thought he had a dominant performance all day long."

Gage Linahon (sophomore, Newton) went 3-1 on the day at 197 pounds, securing second place. He won his first match by fall before battling for a pair of decisions. Samuel Zook (senior, Oak Harbor, Wash.) went 2-1 at 285 pounds and finished third.

"They've both been consistent this year," Van Kley said. "On the flip side, they both felt like they left a little out there. They thought they had a shot of winning their brackets. Gage wishes he could have that finals match back and Sam wishes he could have his semifinal back."

Cael Cox (freshman, Ankeny, Centennial HS) and Cooper Stigsell (senior, Litchfield Park, Ariz., Verrado HS) added fourth-place efforts at 133 and 184 pounds, respectively.

"Cooper has had a great senior season and continues to be a leader off and on the mat," Van Kley said.

Duncan Delzell (sophomore, Burlington) rallied to capture the consolation championship at 149 pounds by winning his last two matches of the day.

In the Silver Division of 133 pounds, Leo Blawou (sophomore, Des Moines, Lincoln HS) went 2-0 to take the title.

Central travels to Loras College for a dual against the Duhawks Thursday night at 7 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Samuel Zook

#285 Samuel Zook

Freshman
Cooper Stigsell

#184 Cooper Stigsell

Freshman
Rob Areyano

#141 Rob Areyano

Freshman
Leo Blawou

#141/149 Leo Blawou

Sophomore
Duncan Delzell

#149 Duncan Delzell

Sophomore
Gage Linahon

#285 Gage Linahon

Sophomore
Cael Cox

#133 Cael Cox

Freshman

Players Mentioned

Samuel Zook

#285 Samuel Zook

Freshman
Cooper Stigsell

#184 Cooper Stigsell

Freshman
Rob Areyano

#141 Rob Areyano

Freshman
Leo Blawou

#141/149 Leo Blawou

Sophomore
Duncan Delzell

#149 Duncan Delzell

Sophomore
Gage Linahon

#285 Gage Linahon

Sophomore
Cael Cox

#133 Cael Cox

Freshman