Pratt Community College wrestling continued their fall open season by traveling to Kearney, Neb. for the Holiday Inn Loper Open hosted by the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The Holiday Inn Loper Open hosted wrestlers from the NAIA and NJCAA level all the way to NCAA Division I.
Dallas Wilson continues to be a top performer for the Blue and White at 125 lbs. Wilson won four matches by decision, including a 9-6 decision win over #3 ranked Emaunel Brown from Iowa Western and a win over Dylan Gowin from Nebraska by 8-4 decision. Willson's streak came to an end with a decision loss in the finals to Sid Flores of Air Force Prep. This was Wilson's third trip to an open finals this season.
Wrestling in the 133 lbs. class, Justin Hershberger battled for the Beavers. He won his first two matches by decision (9-3; 12-4) before losing by decision to Jake Woods.
After falling in his first match of the open, Justin Skerce rallied in the 141 lbs. consolation bracket. Skerce won his first consolation match via fall at 4:41. He would then go on to win his next two matches before losing to Brik Filippo.
Brandon Huntley followed a similar path to Skerce at the heavyweight level. Huntley lost his first match dropping to the consolation bracket. He then was victorious in his next three matches. In Huntley's second consolation match he gained the win by fall at 4:27 over Shane Coombs from Colorado State. Huntley's open ended with a decision loss to Julian Sanchez.
"We are just going out there and having fun right now," said head coach Ken Kepley. "We are progressing well, and we are adapting to wrestling a dominant style. Everything else will fall into place. There is still a lot of work to be done, and we are working very hard both on the mat and in the classroom. Heading into Thanksgiving Break will be good for them to reflect, be with their families, and rest their bodies. I cannot wait to see their hard work progress even more at the Bob Smith Open."
PCC wrestling next competes in the Bob Smith Open in Hays, Kan. on December 3.