Purdue wrestling splits at Nationals

COLUMBIA, Mo. (WLFI) - The 16th-ranked Purdue wrestling team split a pair of contests at the Missouri Regional of the NWCA National Duals on Sunday, topping 20th-ranked Wyoming, 20-16, but falling to sixth-ranked Missouri, 27-15. The Boilermakers move to 15-6 on the season as sophomore Brandon Nelsen earned a pair of victories, and close out the regular season next weekend at Franklin and Marshall.

The Boilermakers got the day off to a good start, splitting matches with the 20th-ranked Cowboys, but earning bonus points at three weights en route to their 15th dual victory of the season. Nelsen highlighted the match with a late fall against Wyoming sophomore Zach Zehner, earning his 14th bonus-point win of the season, while junior Cashé Quiroga and freshman Chad Welch added major decisions at 133 and 174 pounds.

With the match down to heavyweight and a 17-16 Purdue lead, junior Alex White came through for the Old Gold and Black, using a late takedown and a solid third-period ride to outlast sophomore Leland Pfeifer, 4-1. The win was White’s first since the Midlands Championships, but kept the Boilermakers unbeaten against Wyoming in series history (3-0-1).

The Boilermakers’ second match of the day was not as friendly as they found themselves not only without Kissel, but without the services of Quiroga and Lopouchanski due to injuries in the first dual of the day. Missouri raced out to a 10-0 lead behind a major decision from fourth-ranked Alan Waters at 125 pounds and the forfeit win at 133 pounds, but Nelsen put Purdue on the board at 141 with an 8-4 decision over senior Nicholas Hucke. Nelsen avenged a loss from the dual in November against the Tigers, scoring two takedowns and a reversal in his 22nd victory of the season.

The Boilermakers continue to build on their best dual season over the past 10 years, and most wins under sixth-year head coach Scott Hinkel, and finish off against Buffalo and Franklin and Marshall on Saturday.

#16 Purdue 20 – #20 Wyoming 16

125: Tyler Cox (UW) def. Camden Eppert (PU), MD 21-7 (PU 0 – UW 4)

133: Cashé Quiroga (PU) def. Kasey Garnhart (UW), MD 12-4 (PU 4 – UW 4)

141: Brandon Nelsen (PU) def. Zach Zehner (UW), Fall 6:22 (PU 10 – UW 4)

149: Ivan Lopouchanski (PU) def. Brandon Richardson (UW), D 4-1 (PU 13 – UW 4)

157: Andy McCulley (UW) def. Tommy Churchard (PU), D 6-2 (PU 13 – UW 7)

165: Dakota Friesth (UW) def. Pat Robinson (PU), D 7-3 (PU 13 – UW 10)

174: Chad Welch (PU) def. L.J. Helbig (UW), MD 13-1 (PU 17 – UW 10)

184: Shane Woods (UW) def. Kyle Mosier (PU), D 3-2 (PU 17 – UW 13)

197: Alfonso Hernandez (UW) def. Braden Atwood (PU), SV 9-7 (PU 17 – UW 16)

285: Alex White (PU) def. Leland Pfeifer (UW), D 4-1 (PU 20 – UW 16)

#16 Purdue 15 – #6 Missouri 27

125: Alan Waters (MU) def. Camden Eppert, MD 15-3 (PU 0 – MU 4)

133: Nathan McCormick (MU) wins by forfeit (PU 0 – MU 10)

141: Brandon Nelsen (PU) def. Nicholas Hucke (MU), D 8-4 (PU 3 – MU 10)

149: Drake Houdashelt (MU) def. Frankie Porras (PU), TF 20-5 (5:27) (PU 3 – MU 15)

157: Tommy Churchard (PU) def. Kyle Bradley (MU), D 8-4 (PU 6 – MU 15)

165: Pat Robinson (PU) def. Trevor Wiest (MU), D 6-1 (PU 9 – MU 15)

174: Todd Porter (MU) def. Chad Welch (PU), MD 17-4 (PU 9 – MU 19)

184: Johnny Eblen (MU) def. Andy Wiseman (PU), MD 15-2 (PU 9 – MU 23)

197: Braden Atwood (PU) def. Brent Haynes (MU), Fall 3:13 (PU 15 – MU MU 23)

285: Dom Bradley (MU) def. Alex White (PU), MD 21-7 (PU 15 – MU 27)