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COMPLETE CONTROL

Second-ranked Tritons easily handle No. 20 NIACC

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Jeremiah Colon of Iowa Central wrestles NIACC's Alaen Gonzalez on Wednesday inside Hodges Fieldhouse. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Luke Moffitt was an aggressive wrestler during his time on the mat, and that style continues to be displayed as Iowa Central’s head coach.

At the same time, Moffitt is starting to realize that when it comes to early-season matches, perfection is not always needed.

The second-ranked Tritons claimed a convincing 36-14 victory over No. 20 North Iowa Area inside Hodges Fieldhouse Wednesday night, putting on a strong performance for the first time in front of the home faithful.

Jeremiah Colon, Zak Hensley, Brandon Murray, Dayton Racer, Antrez Clagon, Danny Bush and Thomas Petersen all had wins for the Tritons (3-1 overall, 3-0 in ICCAC), who already have victories over third-ranked Iowa Lakes and Iowa Western.

“It’s always an honor to wrestle at home because we don’t get an opportunity to do that enough,” said Moffitt, who is now 110-36 overall in his career and 108-22 against NJCAA competition. “I thought for the most part the guys came out and tried to dominate by getting their wrestling going. A few were kind of slow to do that.

“I just have to remind myself that we are not close to peak time. We’re still trying to figure out a few weights.”

Colon, a freshman who was a state medalist at Mason City Newman, kicked off the dual with a first period pin of Alaen Gonzalez. Colon is the brother of former Iowa Central standouts Joe and Jacob Colon.

“We took (Colon) right out of Mason City,” Moffitt said. “He always wants to compete. We have some guys at 125, but I know I can call on Jeremiah anytime. He is dangerous because he is a pinner, and we like pinners.”

Hensley, who is ranked No. 1 at 133 pounds after placing second last year at nationals, pinned Alex Brown in 1:51 to improve to 9-2 on the year. Murray, a seventh place finisher a year ago who is also rated No. 1 at 149, pinned Jalen Boudreax in 3:30.

After sitting out the early scheduled meets, Racer continued his Triton career with a major decision over former Clear Lake standout Ryan Faught. Racer, who transferred from Virginia Tech, debuted in the 157-pound top spot after downing then-No. 1 Chase Lemons of Iowa Western last week.

“Dayton is a difference-maker in our lineup,” Moffitt said. “He’s still trying to adjust to getting his weight down, the weigh-in process and competing, but he came out and wrestled hard.”

Clagon, ranked eighth at 174, pinned Jaylen Lee in 2:36 and Bush claimed a 16-0 technical fall over Sedrak Sheppard at 197. The were tied 0-0 entering the third before the state champion from Davenport Assumption scored four four-point moves on Sheppard.

“I don’t like it,” Moffitt grinned of Bush’s approach. “But the thing with him is he can score a lot of points quickly. We just have to keep getting him better by focusing on his weaknesses and making him the total package.”

Iowa Central’s fourth top-ranked wrestler, Petersen, ended the night with a 12-5 decision over No. 5 Mario Pena at heavyweight.

While some thought the Tritons might jump to the No. 1 line in the team rankings after their win over Iowa Western, Moffitt believes his squad is sitting right where they need to be.

“I kind of thought Northeastern Oklahoma A&M was the best team coming into the season,” he said. “They are the defending national champions and we are the defending national runner-up, so I think this is the way it should be.

“I am glad we are 1-2 for seeding purposes for the national duals in January.”

The Tritons are now off until the new year when they travel to Fort Wayne, Ind. for the national duals on Jan. 5-6. Iowa Central is a six-time duals champion, but has not captured the title since 2012.

“Hopefully we are at full steam come January,” Moffitt said. “The idea is a clean sweep of the national titles. Anytime there is a national tournament, you want to win it, and that is our goal.”

IOWA CENTRAL 36, NIACC 14

125 — Jeremiah Colon, ICCC pinned Alaen Gonzalez, 2:18; 133 — Zak Hensley, ICCC pinned Alex Brown, 1:51; 141 — Robert Rodriguez, N pinned De’Andre Reed, 2:17; 149 — Brandon Murray, ICCC pinned Jalen Boudreax, 3:30; 157 — Dayton Racer, ICCC major dec. Ryan Faught, 16-4; 165 — Tucker Black, N tech. fall Brady Vogel, 22-6; 174 — Antrez Clagon, ICCC pinned Ravonn Gregory, 2:36; 184 — Danny Bush, ICCC tech. fall Jaylen Lee, 16-0; 197 — Sedrak Sheppard, N dec. Jacob Becker, 5-4; 285 — Thomas Petersen, ICCC dec. Mario Pena, 12-5.

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