Reivers Show Growth, Battle Through Setbacks in Loss to Southeast
Council Bluffs, IA — The Iowa Western Men's Wrestling team took on 4th-ranked Southeast Community College.
Iowa Western earned five victories on the night, including a fall and several hard-fought decisions. Multiple bouts were decided by narrow margins that underscored how close the team is to turning the corner.
At 125lb, Noah Jones got the Reivers on the board with a thriller 4–3 decision over Brandon Baustert. Jones controlled key exchanges and closed strong late, earning a match-winning takedown in the closing seconds of the match.
Southeast responded at 133lb, before Iowa Western bounced right back in the next bout. At 141lb, Hudson Palmer earned a gritty 5–4 decision to propel the Reivers to an early dual lead.
The highlight of the night followed at 149lb, where Logan Crowther electrified the crowd with a first-period fall at 1:37.
Southeast gained traction through the middle of the lineup, picking up wins at 157lb and 165lb and gaining their first dual score lead of the evening.
At 174lb, Matteo Nikolov steadied the ship with a controlled 4–2 decision, reclaiming momentum and putting the Reivers back ahead in the dual score.
Southeast capitalized at 184lb and 197lb, earning the final lead change of the dual. The night concluded at heavyweight with a forfeit to Southeast.
Final Score:
Iowa Western 15
Though the final bouts went the visitors' way, the Reivers continued to wrestle hard through the final whistle, an important marker of a team committed to growth rather than results alone.
Iowa Western is back on the road next week as they take on #1 Indian Hills and travel to Miami, Oklahoma, for the Golden Norseman Open. Sails Up!
