Little Rock Medals Three Trojan Wrestlers at Southern Scuffle

(All images via lrtrojans.com)

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – In another first for the Trojans, three Little Rock wrestlers stood on the podium and received awards for their performances at the prestigious Southern Scuffle tournament this weekend. The team finished 10th overall out of 21 total teams, outscoring several big programs in the process and ending up 11 places higher than last season.

“It’s time to believe,” said head coach Neil Erisman of the program’s strides as the team makes its way through their fourth year. “It’s time to believe you should be placing here, competing with everybody and beating these guys. It was an emotional rollercoaster, but the guys fought hard.”

Triston Wills claimed third place overall in the 174 pound bracket, finishing the two-day event with two ranked wins and only one loss to the #15 wrestler in the country in quarterfinals. Wills was set for a rematch in the third-place match, but his opponent forfeited. However, Wills walked away with decisions over nationally ranked foes with honorable mentions via FloWrestling and #21 and #27 from Intermat.

“I think he figured some stuff out,” Coach Erisman said. “He’s had an up and down year, and I was happy for him to get over that hump and get some good wins. He was calm and he won tight matches by going in there and doing it. Looking for him to continue down this path, embrace what he did today, and keep grinding out tough matches, because that’s what it takes.”

In his first-ever Southern Scuffle appearance, true freshman Stephen Little finished fifth at 197 pounds, collecting four decisions in the process. He even recorded a takedown against the number 2 wrestler in the country, only allowing decisions to top-10 opponents.

“He made a statement,” said Coach Erisman. “He might’ve lost those matches, but good luck beating Stephen Little again. He went after it…he’s Mr. Consistent, and the results show.”

“It was also encouraging for the young guys [to see Little’s success],” he added. “You don’t have time to wait to be great. The time is now.”

Wrapping up the podium placers, Josiah Hill put up four wins throughout the tournament, including his first-ever ranked win. His victory over Hofstra’s heavyweight, who has an honorable mention through FloWrestling and #28 via Intermat, was even sweeter because the 3-1 decision thrust him into a placing position.

“It was good to see Josiah grind through this tournament and finish it strong,” commended Coach Erisman. “It’s a reflection of what he’s been trying to do as a whole this year. He’s gained a lot of confidence in himself and he’s becoming a man.”
 
Four Little Rock wrestlers advanced to the second day of the Southern Scuffle compared to the year previous, a number that was helped by a notable wrestle-back performance by Jeremiah Reno. He took home two bonus point wins to help the team score, and held two ranked opponents to decisions in matches that didn’t go his way.

With four home duals slated for the rest of January, this weekend’s success should be the positive momentum the Trojans need to get more dual wins under their belt. Catch Little Rock wrestling at the Jack Stephens Center in two weeks against Lindenwood on January 13 and conference foes Oregon State on January 15.
 
 
Little Rock Results
 
Jeremiah Reno (3-2, 125 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – Jeremiah Reno (Little Rock) won by tech fall over K. Sailas (Northern Colorado) (TF 15-0, 3:18)
• Championship Round of 16 – #HM N. Provo (Stanford) won by decision over Jeremiah Reno (Little Rock) (Dec, 9-4)
• Consolation Round of 16 – Jeremiah Reno (Little Rock) won by decision over C. Fuessley (Iowa State) (Dec 7-6) 
• Consolation Round of 8 #1 – Jeremiah Reno (Little Rock) won by fall over N. Luna (Appalachian State) (F, 3:13)
• Consolation Round of 8 #2 – #23 C. Smith (Appalachian State) won by decision over Jeremiah Reno (Little Rock) (Dec 4-3)

 
Reid Nelson (1-2, 125 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – T. Klinsky (Rider) won by decision over Reid Nelson (Little Rock) (Dec, 7-3)
• Consolation Round of 16 #1 – Reid Nelson (Little Rock) won by decision over L. Ashton (Chattanooga) (Dec 9-4)
• Consolation Round of 16 #2 – A. Sobotker (Binghamton) won by fall over Rein Nelson (Little Rock) (F, 2:21) 

 
Josh Sarpy (1-2, 133 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – M. Midkiff (NDSU) won by fall over Josh Sarpy (Little Rock) (F, 1:20)
• Consolation Round of 16 #1 – Josh Sarpy (Little Rock) won by decision over C. Quinn (Maryland) (Dec 5-1)
• Consolation Round of 16 #2 – #24 K. Phipps (Bucknell) won by technical fall over Josh Sarpy (Little Rock (TF 16-0, 3:23) 

 
Jayden Carson (1-2, 133 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – #HM C. Brown (Missouri) won by technical fall over Jayden Carson (Little Rock) (TF 17-0, 6:45)
• Consolation Round of 16 #1 – Jayden Carson (Little Rock) won by decision over C. Liardi (Hofstra) (Dec 4-0)
• Consolation Round of 16 #2 – J. Gliva (Minnesota) won by major decision over Jayden Carson (Little Rock) (MD 10-2) 

 
Cael Keck (1-2, 133 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – K. Phipps (Bucknell) won by fall over Cael Keck (Little Rock) (F, 2:32)
• Consolation Round of 16 #1 – Cael Keck (Little Rock) won by medical forfeit
• Consolation Round of 16 #2 – M. Midkiff (NDSU) won by decision over Cael Keck (Little Rock) (Dec 6-0) 

 
Jayden Gomez (2-2, 141 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – #1 A. Alirez (Northern Colorado) won by technical fall over Jayden Gomez (Little Rock) (TF 19-4, 4:23)
• Consolation Round of 32 – Jayden Gomez (Little Rock) won by decision over F. Valdes (Chattanooga) (Dec 3-1)
• Consolation Round of 16 #1 – Jayden Gomez (Little Rock) won by decision over C. Coleman (Duke) (Dec 6-5)
• Consolation Round of 16 #2 – J. Gioffre (Virginia) won by fall over Jayden Gomez (Little Rock) (F, 2:26)

 
Brennan Van Hoecke (1-2, 141 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – Brennan Van Hoecke (Little Rock) won by fall over J. Landin (CSU-Bakersfield) (F, 2:19)
• Championship Round of 16 – A. Hart (Missouri) won by major decision over Brennan Van Hoecke (Little Rock) (MD 10-1)
• Consolation Round of 16 #2 – A. Bloemhof (Oklahoma State) won by decision over Brennan Van Hoecke (Little Rock) (Dec 16-15)

 
Joseph Bianchi (0-2, 149 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – Nate Pulliam (Missouri) won by decision over Joseph Bianchi (Little Rock) (Dec 7-6)
• Consolation Round of 16 – B. Brenner (Minnesota) won by decision over Joseph Bianchi (Little Rock) (Dec 5-4)

 
Chase Tebbets (0-2, 149 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – Gabe Schumm (NDSU) won by decision over Chase Tebbets (Little Rock) (Dec 4-2)
• Consolation Round of 16 – M. Polanco (Minnesota) won by decision over Chase Tebbets (Little Rock) (Dec 4-2)

 
Jake Adams (0-2, 149 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – Kellyn March (NDSU) won by decision over Jake Adams (Little Rock) (Dec 6-0)
• Consolation Round of 16 – K. DePron (Bucknell) won by decision over Jake Adams (Little Rock) (Dec 6-1)

 
Matty Bianchi (3-2, 157 pounds)

• Championship Round of 64 – Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) won by decision over R. Bower (Bucknell) (Dec 4-0)
• Championship Round of 32 – T. Mastrogiovanni (Oklahoma State) won by fall over Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) (F, 1:18)
• Consolation Round of 16 #1 – Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) won by major decision over L. Ferrero (Duke) (MD 12-1)
• Consolation Round of 16 #2 – Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) won by decision over L. Gioffre (Missouri) (Dec 3-1)
• Consolation Round of 8 – #HM J. Kraisser (Iowa State) won by decision over Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) (Dec 3-1)

Brendon Abdon (0-2, 157 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – B. Monroe (Iowa State) won by decision over Brendon Abdon (Little Rock) (Dec 8-5)
• Consolation Round of 16 – S. Swiggum (Minnesota) won by technical fall over Brendon Abdon (Little Rock) (TF 20-4, 7:00)

 
Austin Keal (0-2, 157 pounds)

• Championship Round of 64 – T. Stapleton (Minnesota) won by fall in overtime over Austin Keal (Little Rock) (F, 7:17)
• Consolation Round of 32 – J. Spires (Virginia Tech) won by decision over Austin Keal (Little Rock) (Dec 3-0)

 
Triston Wills (5-1, 174 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – Triston Wills (Little Rock) received a bye
• Championship Round of 16 – Triston Wills (Little Rock) won by decision over #HM/#27 D. Solis (Maryland) (Dec 6-5)
• Championship Quarterfinals – #15 B. O’Reilly (Minnesota) won by decision over Triston Wills (Little Rock) (Dec 3-2)
• Consolation Round of 8 – Triston Wills (Little Rock) won by decision over R. Habisch (NDSU) (Dec 5-2)
• Consolation Round of 4 – Triston Wills (Little Rock) won by decision over #HM/#21 J. Broderson (Iowa State) (Dec 8-4)
• Consolation Semifinals – Triston Wills (Little Rock) won by medical forfeit
• Third Place Match – Triston Wills (Little Rock) won by medical forfeit

 
Warren Hoyt (0-2, 174 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – R. Habisch (NDSU) won by decision over Warren Hoyt (Little Rock) (Dec 2-0)
• Consolation Round of 16 – H. Stewart (Virginia) won by decision over Warren Hoyt (Little Rock) (Dec 7-2)

 
Mason Diel (2-2, 184 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – DJ Parker (NDSU) won by major decision over Mason Diel (Little Rock) (MD 13-1)
• Consolation Round of 16 #1 – Mason Diel (Little Rock) won by major decision over J. Pargoe (Gardner Webb) (MD 12-2)
• Consolation Round of 16 #2 – Mason Diel (Little Rock) won by decision over J. Anderson (Gardner Webb) (MD 6-4)
• Consolation Round of 8 – J. Darrah (Stanford) won by major decision over Mason Diel (Little Rock) (MD 16-6)

 
Tanner Mendoza (0-2, 184 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – K. Haas (Oklahoma State) won by fall over Tanner Mendoza (Little Rock) (F, 1:06)
• Consolation Round of 16 – L. Uliano (Appalachian State) won by major decision over Tanner Mendoza (Little Rock) (MD 13-1)

 
Stephen Little (5-2, 197 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – Stephen Little (Little Rock) won by decision over H. Filipovich (Purdue) (Dec 14-7)
• Championship Round of 16 – Stephen Little (Little Rock) won by decision over S. Mooberry (NDSU) (Dec 9-4)
• Championship Quarterfinals – #2 E. Laird (Rider) won by decision over Stephen Little (Little Rock) (Dec 6-4)
• Consolation Round of 8 – Stephen Little (Little Rock) won by decision over M. McCready (Bucknell) (Dec 3-2)
• Consolation Round of 4 – Stephen Little (Little Rock) won by decision over T. Stewart (Virginia Tech) (Dec 3-2)
• Consolation Semifinals – #10 J. Smith (Maryland) won by decision over Stephen Little (Little Rock) (Dec 6-1)
• Fifth Place Match – Stephen Little (Little Rock) won by medical forfeit

 
Ty Lukens (1-2, 197 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – #HM L. Surber (Oklahoma State) won by decision over Ty Lukens (Little Rock) (Dec, 9-3)
• Consolation Round of 16 #1 – Ty Lukens (Little Rock) won by fall over L. Webster (Chattanooga) (F, 0:26)
• Consolation Round of 16 #2 – J. Boyd (Chattanooga) won by decision over Ty Lukens (Little Rock)

 
Josiah Hill (4-2, 285 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – Josiah Hill (Little Rock) won by decision over C. Tibbitts (Binghamton) (Dec 11-4)
• Championship Round of 16 – Josiah Hill (Little Rock) won by major decision over D. Szuba (Rider) (MD 13-2)
• Championship Quarterfinals – #8 Z. Elam (Missouri) won by fall over Josiah Hill (Little Rock) (F, 0:22)
• Consolation Round of 8 – Josiah Hill (Little Rock) won by decision over #HM/#28 Z. Knighton-Ward (Hofstra) (Dec 3-1)
• Consolation Round of 4 – Juan Mora (NDSU) won by decision over Josiah Hill (Little Rock) (Dec 2-2, TB-2)
• Seventh Place Match – Josiah Hill (Little Rock) won by decision over P. Ming (Stanford) (Dec 5-2)

 
Apollo Gothard (1-2, 285 pounds)

• Championship Round of 32 – #19 J. Niesenbaum (Duke) won by decision over Apollo Gothard (Little Rock) (Dec 6-2)
• Consolation Round of 16 – Apollo Gothard (Little Rock) won by fall over S. O’Malley (Stanford) (F, 2:41)
• Consolation Round of 8 – L. Andrew (Chattanooga) won by decision over Apollo Gothard (Little Rock) (Dec 3-1)

For the latest information on Little Rock Wrestling, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockWRES on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

#LittleRocksTeam