DUBUQUE — Sending 14 reserve wrestlers to the Pat "Flash" Flanagan Open hosted by Loras College Saturday, the Central College wrestling team finished with six place winners.     

The field featured Division III wrestlers as well as unattached wrestlers from Division I schools like the University of Iowa and the University of Wisconsin. Central primarily sent underclassmen and non-starters to compete.

"The biggest thing is that we take a lot of pride in our program about all of our guys getting to compete," coach Eric Van Kley said. "The depth of our program is a real strength and today showed that. We had a lot of younger guys and reserves that led things for us."

Duncan Delzell (junior, 149 pounds, Burlington) won four matches, the most of any Dutch wrestler on the day. He had a trio of pins on his way to a fifth-place finish.

"He's showed some real perseverance this year with some injuries," Van Kley said. "He really stepped up today and we're glad to see him healthy."

Central had three place finishers in the 197-pound bracket. Nathan Rosas (freshman, Harvard, Ill.) bested Brodie Toth (sophomore, Temecula, Calif., Great Oak HS) 9-3 in the third-place match. Justin Dallas (freshman, Dixon, Ill.) also finished sixth.

"A lot of our freshmen stepped up and shined in the moment," Van Kley said.

Landon Kirby (sophomore, Grinnell) finished seventh after a 2-2 day at 174 pounds.

Central has a varsity dual at Luther College Thursday at 6 p.m.

"We're excited for it," Van Kley said. "It's been a challenging couple of weeks for us with injuries and facing tough competition. I'm proud of the way our guys responded and we are looking forward to the challenge."