Wrestling Team Pins Opponents to the Mat

Despite an overall record of 9-6, Messiah wrestling has found success on the mat both individually and as a team. Messiah started the season off strong by winning the Messiah Invitational over seven other schools. A week later the team traveled to Rhode Island for the Roger Williams Invitational and came in 2^nd out of 11 teams.

Messiah then traveled back home for a quad meet and defeated Waynesburg University 19-13, as well as York College 22-19, before losing to Division II opponent Lake Erie College, 26-15. Carrying the momentum from the previous meet, Messiah hosted the annual Petrofes Invitational on December 2^nd and 3^rd. This invitational is a daunting task just to watch, but it is even harder on the wrestlers. After 506 bouts over fifteen hours, Messiah placed 4^th as a team.  Senior captains Matt Cross and Tim Stewart were crowned in the 174 and 184 weight classes respectively.

The next week Messiah went to SUNY-Cortland for a tri meet, losing to SUNY 22-17, before dominating Rochester IT 42-6. At the North-South Duals, Messiah won two matches defeating TCNJ 33-10 and shutting out Coast Guard 49-0 and lost to Delaware Valley 18-15 and Wilkes 19-18.

At the Budd Whitehill Duals, Messiah took 6^th place in the tournament—the school's best finish ever—and it was the first time they finished higher than 8^th place. Messiah went 4-2 over the weekend, losing only to York College and Springfield College.

Coach Brunk said each season brings unique challenges, but the team is facing them head on.

"We have seen numerous spiritual challenges as we test ourselves in the midst of adversity and with the desired outcome of a deep relationship with Jesus."

Brunk mentioned that while "everyone that he thought would do well is doing well," Kaleb Loht and Chris Hardenberg have exceeded his expectations.

First-year Kaleb Loht has gained national ranking and attention this season because of his 25-3 record.

 "It is a mixed emotion of what I feel with my success," he said. "By that I mean that yeah I'm kind of surprised, but then again I'm not, because there is only a little bit of difference between college and high school wrestling."

Loht added that his high school coach drilled the basics just like coach Brunk does at practice. When he does not win, Loht learns from it.

 "I take my losses and learn from them to make myself better."

Senior Captain Chris Hardenberg has improved in terms of records this year compared to the previous year. According to Coach Brunk, Hardenberg's record in his first three years was 36-35, and this year it was 17-9.

Messiah has a large team this year, with thirty-seven wrestlers in all.

"I think the biggest thing we've enjoyed this year is balance," said Brunk. "We're a tough team in every single weight class."

Today Messiah will travel to wrestle Lycoming College before returning back to Grantham to host the Messiah Open tomorrow. The Messiah Open will take place at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday January 21) in Hitchcock Arena.