PELLA — Winning titles at four weights, the Central College wrestling team closed out the regular season Friday by hosting the Last Chance Invitational.

No team scores were kept at the six-team meet featuring primarily reserves and underclassmen.

Central closed out a busy week that also included dual wins over William Penn University 37-15 on Tuesday and 30-9 on Thursday.
            "
It was a great week overall for us," coach Eric Van Kley said.
           
The five Central seniors who were not in the dual lineup Thursday night got their chance at the tournament. Jordan Bendorf (senior, San Diego, Calif., Bonita Vista HS) won his only match by fall, splitting first place with teammates Duncan Delzell (junior, Burlington) and Leo Blawou (junior, Des Moines, Lincoln HS). Christian Wilson (senior, Houston, Texas., Cypress Ridge HS) and Ryne Mohrfeld (senior, Lisbon) were second at 184 and 157 pounds, respectively. Carlos Ramos (senior, Sahuarita, Ariz., Walden Grove HS) was fifth at 157 and Julian Rodriguez (senior, Escondido, Calif.) competed at 165 pounds.
           
"It was fun to see those guys compete one more time," Van Kley said. "It was an opportunity to get a lot of different guys on the mat."
           
Gage Linahon (junior, Newton) was 4-0 at 197 pounds to take the title. Cory Hoyle (freshman, Morton, Ill.) was 3-0 at 125 pounds to win that crown. Sam West (Burlington, Notre Dame HS) and Landon Kirby (sophomore, Grinnell) went 2-0 and shared the 174-pound championship.

Central is off for two weeks until the NCAA Division III Lower Midwest Regional on February 24 and 25. The 18-team competition has been moved to Springfield, Illinois this season. The top-three finishers at each class advance to the NCAA Division III Championships in Roanoke, Virginia on March 10 and 11.

"I think we're building momentum," Van Kley said. "We're a team that has really gone through some ups and downs this season and we're putting it together at the right time."