Shiwoko highlights Waldorf effort at Grand View Open

GRIMES, Iowa - The young Warrior grapplers gained more early season experience Saturday. Shiwoko Shiwoko's fourth-place finish highlighted the Waldorf University wrestling effort in the Grand View Open event.

Shiwoko worked his way to a fourth-place finish in the Freshman/Sophomore 141-pound weight class. The sophomore started his 5-2 day with a 10-3 decision and 16-5 major decision. The second-year Warrior came up short in the Quarterfinals via fall, but he battled back with a trio of more victories, including a fall in 4:35 over Avila's Sullivan Ruiz. Hunter Steffans ended Shiwoko's day in the Third Place bout by tech fall, 19-1.

Waldorf saw both Zachary Southern and Daven Hames get their arms raised twice on the day with 2-2 records. In the Freshman/Sophomore 125-bracket, Southern recorded falls in his first two matches in 4:01 over Northwestern's Gabe Cauthron and Aden Rieb of Morningside in 4:24. Southern fell in his Quarterfinal match and again in the first wrestleback bout.

Hames picked up a pair of decision wins in the Freshman/Sophomore 165-weight class. He hung on for the 14-12 decision over Missouri Baptist's Hunter Song to start his day. After a second match loss, he was able to score a 6-5 decision in the Consolations.

The Warriors had five other young wrestlers win a match in the Open with all in the Freshman/Sophomore brackets. Ellis Hughes registered the lone falls as his win in 3:37 at 184.

Preston Ray posted a 15-0 tech fall shutout in his first round 165-pound consolation match. Both Marco Gandy (141) and Malachi Aispiro (125) recorded major decisions for their wins at 16-8 and 11-1, both in their first Consolation matches. At 155, Devon Jeffreys was the final Warrior to have a win and won by decision, 14-8.

Waldorf will have 10 days off before the wrestlers return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 26, in Seward, Neb., for the Great Plains Athletic Conference Duals #1 competition.