THIS WEEK IN PEACOCK WRESTLING… The Upper Iowa wrestling squad is on the mat in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium for the first time on Wednesday night at 5 p.m. The Peacocks will take on the Warriors of Waldorf University in a non-conference dual. The dual will be UIU's first of the year after a pair of open tournaments the last two Saturdays.
LIVE OPTIONS… Live scoring and a webcast for the dual will be available through the links at UIUPeacocks.com/LIVE and included with this story. The contests will also stream live on the NSIC Network app through Roku and Fire devices, as well as Apple and Android TV. Search for "NSIC Network" to find the app on your relevant device.
DIGITAL DUAL PROGRAM… Fans can access an interactive and digital program for UIU's home duals at any time at UIUPeacocks.com/Programs. The digital programs are available to fans both at our duals and those at home watching the action. QR Codes will be located around the facility to scan with your cell phone's camera that will link you directly to that game's specific digital program.
TICKETS… Upper Iowa has partnered with HomeTown Ticketing for all of this season's wrestling matches in Dorman. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at UIUPeacocks.com/Tickets or by paying cash in person prior to the match. Fans are encouraged to stay ahead of the curve this season with the HomeTown Ticketing Fan App available on all mobile device platforms.
NSIC WRESTLER OF THE WEEK… Upper Iowa's
Eric Faught is this week's NSIC Wrestler of the Week after a great Saturday on the mats at Augsburg University. Faught is the third NSIC Player of the Week award winner this year for Upper Iowa. Lydia Haack from the Peacock women's basketball team was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Week last week, while Jamie Kerkvliet was named the NSIC Goalkeeper of the Week earlier this fall. Faught claimed the title at 157 pounds with a perfect 5-0 day at the Auggie Invite in Minneapolis, Minn. Faught scored an early decision and then three-straight falls to earn his shot at the bracket championship. In the finals, Faught outlasted Drake Hayward of Minnesota State University, Mankato 8-6 in sudden victory. The win over Hayward avenged the redshirt junior's only loss on the season.
HOT STARTS… Five Peacocks have scored nine wins over the first two weekends of action at the Luther Open and Auggie Invite.
Chase Luensman is a perfect 9-0 with two bracket titles at 165 pounds, while
Tate Murty (141) and Faught (157) each have one title under their belts and identical 9-1 records.
Chance Throndson (157) and
Colter Bye (184) are also nine-time winners this season, while
Kaden Anderlik,
Cael Meyer,
Lawson Losee,
Ryan Steffen and
Scott Kellenberger have each won seven bouts apiece.
TEAM LEADERS… Faught holds the team lead in falls with five, while Anderlik and
Dalton Schams each have one technical fall to their names. Luensman's three major decisions are the team high in that category; he also has a team-high 27 takedowns and 81 match points scored, while
Joe Ebaugh has been a terror from the down position with nine reversals. Upper Iowa has posted 144 wins in 217 bouts for a 66.4 winning percentage with 34 falls, two tech falls and 14 majors.
PROBABLE LINEUP… Upper Iowa's probable lineup includes:
IN THE RANKINGS… On the national scene, the Peacocks are receiving votes in the NWCA Division II Preseason Top 25 and both Murty, No. 8 at 141 pounds, and teammate
Kaden Anderlik, No. 11 at 133 pounds, are ranked in the NWCA Division II Individual Preseason Rankings. Anderlik was 16-4 last season with four falls, a tech fall and a major in his favor and placed fourth at the NCAA Super Region V Championships.
UP NEXT… Upper Iowa will compete once in December. The Peacocks will head to Indianapolis, Ind. to take part in the prestigious Midwest Classic hosted by the University of Indianapolis on Dec. 17-18.
