(Argo Athletics Media Release)
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The No. 6 University of Providence wrestling team went 1-2 on day one of the NWCA National Duals in Fort Wayne, IN.
Three big upsets led the Argos to a big win over No. 10 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) in the opening round of the tournament, taking the dual 18-14.
No. 9 Casey Dobson upset All-American No. 7 James Williams in a 4-3 decision at 157, No. 5 Adrian Lyons-Lopez beat No. 4 Kody Davis in a 9-7 decision at 174, and No. 15 John Hensley beat No. 14 Elias Mason in a 5-2 decision at 197.
UP’s second dual of the day came against No. 2 Missouri Valley College. The Argos fell 22-13.
Hours after beating the seventh-ranked wrestler at 157 in the team’s first round dual, Dobson squared off against No. 3 Tobias Barnes and again pulled the upset with a late takedown, winning a 5-4 decision. No. 4 Adrian Lyons-Lopez also beat a ranked opponent from MVC, getting an 8-3 decision win over No. 17 Alex Destra.
The Argos ran out of gas in their third dual, losing to No. 11 Campbellsville 25-18 to eliminate the Argos from the NWCA National Duals. UP took on Campbellsville, almost immediately after the dual against MVC, and the lack of rest seemed to take its toll.
The highlight of the dual was the final two weight classes, both of which resulted in pins for the Argos. Wrestling at 197 for the first time in 2017-18, redshirt-sophomore Justin Harbison won by Fall (3:43) while filling in for No. 14 John Hensley who wrestled in the previous two matches. Then junior No. 11 Matt Hopkins had team’s quickest pin of the year, winning by fall (0:16).
