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Tritons win national title

—Photo by Paul DeCoursey The Iowa Central wrestling team celebrates after winning the NJCAA National Championship in Council Bluffs.

COUNCIL BLUFFS — Thomas Peterson clinched Iowa Central’s national title dreams in the final match of the NJCAA national tournament.

Petersen earned a fall in the 285 pound championship to give the Tritons (150) the crown, climbing past Clackamas (146.5). Heading into the final match, Iowa Central just needed a win, but Peterson earned the fall in 2:33.

“If it’s coming down to heavyweight to win the national title, there is no other guy that I would want,” said Iowa Central head coach Luke Moffitt. “I knew his offense was going to get him through it and I just had to remind him of that. Some guys would clam up in that situation, but when he scored first with a takedown, I know he had it.”

This was Iowa Central’s first championship since 2015 and seventh overall.

“I have been riding an emotional roller coaster since we got here,” Moffitt said. “With missed calls, video calls overturned, I think this was a lot tougher on the coaching staff.

“It was pretty special to win the way we did, coming down to the final match.”

Petersen’s title was the third championship of the night for the Tritons, as Todd Small picked up a 4-3 decision over David Campbell of Clackamas at 125 pounds.

Dayton Racer (157) cruised to the championship with a 13-0 major decision over Brett Bradford of Rochester.

Zac Hensley suffered a 10-6 loss to Sean DeShazer of Northeast Oklahoma in the 133 pound final.

Antrez Clagon (174) and Brandon Murray (149) both finished fourth. De’Andre Reed (141) was sixth and Danny Bush (184) finished eighth.

Small, Racer and Petersen’s national titles, gives the Tritons 20 individual champions in school history.

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