Ivy Reynolds | Reporter
From Print[Nov.10,2015] | Legacy

Seven Lindenwood wrestlers brought home top three place finishes from the University of Central Missouri Open in Warrensburg on Sunday.

Daniel Swan, Dillon Archer, David Hamil, and Batchka Zulkhuu all won their weight division in the first competition of the 2015-2016 seaon. Kyle Jolas, Colton Orlando and Jake Borgmeyer also represented the Lions on the podium.

The meet was a strong start for the team that currently sits at 17th in the nation according to the Division II wrestling poll released last week.

The Lions were also voted second in the MIAA conference poll, but following the Black and Gold Scrimmage last Wednesday, head coach Chad Smith said rankings don’t matter much to him.

“Whether we are ranked first or last, the only thing that matters or what’s remembered, is what you do when it counts,” he said.

Last year the team ended the season with an MIAA Championship and a 13th place finish at nationals. Smith said he is looking to end even stronger this year.

“Our team goals this year are to maintain a team GPA of 3.0, win a second MIAA conference championship, and place in the top 5 at the national tournament,” he said.

Although the team graduated eight seniors, Smith is confident in the returning personnel as well as the freshman class.

“Our biggest strength this year will be our depth,” he said. “We have always had tough individuals in each weight but this year we have two or three tough guys in each weight pushing each other every day.”

Smith is also expecting some standout performances from multiple veterans; including senior two-time All-American Terrel Wilbourn, junior Zulkhuu, and sophomores Jolas, Hunter Haralson and Borgmeyer.

“We will be very young this year… It will be a process getting our young guys experience and adapting in the beginning of the season so that in March, for the regional and national tournament, they are hitting on all cylinders,” he said.

Lindenwood will take to the mat Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Maryville Kaufman-Brand Open starting at 9 a.m.