Lakeland College

Muskies Defeat Concordia on Senior Night, 26-16

Athletics - posted on 1/26/2006

The Lakeland Muskies improved to 2-1 in the Lake Michigan Conference and 11-8 overall with a 26-16 victory over Concordia University - Wisconsin on Thursday night.

"We did pretty good as a whole," said head coach Pete Rogers. "We wrestled tough, we wrestled hard every single match. It got a little scary there and it is kind of tough competing when you're missing a couple weight classes like we were. We managed to pull it together and we did pretty well."

On senior night the Muskies were lead by seniors Tim Vallier and Lee Sparks who both recorded victories in their respective weight classes. Vallier defeated Ryan 13-5 in the 174 division, while Sparks took out Torie Ruffin 11-6 in the 197 division.

"I can tell both of them (Vallier and Sparks) were letting tonight weigh a little heavy on their mind," said Rogers. "They were both a little more focused and less talkative tonight than in times past. It is exciting to see them. It is amazing that they aren't going to be here next year. They have been with me since I have basically started coaching and it is going to be different without those two guys. They definitely made an impact on me and the team."

Sparks talked about what it meant to wrestle in his last home match at Lakeland.

"This is a dream for me to come in as a freshman with only four or five guys on the team," said Sparks. "To come in this year as a senior we have a full line-up and are hanging with the top teams in the nation. It has been a dream come true. However, the credit goes to Pete (Rogers) for believing in us, bringing us in to wrestle here and building the program to where it is today."

Freshman Jonas Flok had a great match as he pinned Brandon Werner from Concordia just 2:14 seconds into the match. Also wrestling well for Lakeland was freshman Cody Klopp who defeated Ryan Gehringer at the 165 division.

"It is a big win for us as a conference win," said Sparks. "I am glad to see the kids come out and perform well. Especially the younger kids like Jonas (Flok) and Cody (Klopp). We have a couple guys still out of the lineup, but I'm happy with our win tonight and with the kids and the way they gave their hearts tonight."

Also receiving a pin for Lakeland was junior Mark Vanden Hoogen over Hunter Six just 1:48 into his match.

The Muskies will travel to Wheaton, Ill., for the Pete Wilson Invite on Feb. 2nd before competing in the LMC tournament on Feb. 10.

Complete results for Lakeland are below:

125 Dan Crowly (CUW) receives a Forfeit
133 Jeff Luxner (CUW) defeats Noe DeLeon 5-0
141 Kory Theil (LC) defeats Morgan Sickinger 9-1
149 Joe Massman (CUW) defeats Matt Priemesberger 4-3
157 Jonas Flok (LC) pinned Brandon Werner 2:14
165 Cody Klopp (LC) defeats Ryan Gehringer 6-4
174 Tim Vallier (LC) defeats Ryan 13-5
184 Adam Schultz (CUW) defeats Nathan Johnson 11-2
197 Lee Sparks (LC) defeats Torie Ruffin 11-6
285 Mark Vanden Hoogen (LC) pinned Hunter Six 1:48
Team Score: Lakeland defeats Concordia University Wisconsin 26-16

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