French pins 3 at Kearney

Wade French went undefeated, pinning two of his three opponents in the first period, and another in the second as Chadron State College went 2-1 at the University of Nebraska-Kearney Midwest Duals, Saturday.

French, a senior of Herriman, Utah, is CSC’s only wrestler ranked in the top-12 of the Div. II Wrestling Coaches Association poll.

“Kearney has always been a great place for me to wrestle as in I’ve always done very well when wrestling there. I went into the weekend feeling very confident and just made it a priority to have fun. I wrestle my best when I don’t have extra stress or worries weighing over me.” French said in a message to The Eagle

In Kearney, the Eagles won 25-22 against Fort Hays State University in their second dual of the day and defeated Northwest Kansas Technical College 45-6 in their third dual of the day. The Eagles only loss was a 30-12 defeat to Newman University.

Five CSC wrestlers went 2-1 in their matches.

Tate Stoddard, freshman of Glenrock, Wyoming, earned pins against Fort Hays State and Northwest Kansas while Mason Watt, redshirt freshman of Broomfield, Colorado, earned pins against Newman University and Northwest Kansas. Brandon Kile, senior of Hastings, won by major decision against Fort Hays and a forfeit against Northwest Kansas while Chase Clasen, senior of Moses Lake, Washington, won by major decision against Fort Hays and decision against Northwest Kansas.

The Eagles travel to Sterling, Colorado, to dual Northeastern Junior College, Saturday, and host Adams State University, Thursday at 6 p.m. for “Senior Night” in the Chicoine Center as Allison, Clasen, French, Kile and Jay Westcott, senior of Grand Junction, Colorado, wrestle for their last time as an Eagle in Chadron.

As of Jan. 22, the Grizzlies have three top-12 ranked wrestlers with 133-pounder Jonathan Andretta, junior of Walsenburg, Colorado, ranking fifth, 141-pounder Noah Hermosillo, sophomore of Gypsum, Colorado and 149-pounder Josiah Rider, freshman of Grand Junction, Colorado, ranking ninth, all according to the NCAA Div. II Wrestling Coaches Association.

Following CSC’s final home dual, the Eagles travel to Golden, Colorado for the “Rocky Mountain Open”, Feb. 9.

“The rest of our season is pretty simple.” French said last week in a message, “We’ve gotten through our really busy stretch of our schedule and are now starting to de-load in order to prepare for Regions. It’s all about guys gaining confidence in this last section of the season and getting ready to give themselves the best opportunity come regions in February.”

The Eagles’ record improved to 6-10 overall after its two victories in Kearney, Saturday.