November 17, 1997
MONMOUTH WRESTLING WINS TWO OF THREE IN SEASON OPENER
Galesburg,IL --The Monmouth College men
=s wrestling team opened its 1997-98 season at the Knox College Duals last weekend in Galesburg. Following their 1997 Midwest Conference team championship, the Fighting Scots set the tone for another successful season by winning two of three dual matches. The two victories raise head coach Mike Olson=s career dual-match total to 396, one of the highest among current NCAA coaches.Monmouth opened the day by besting host Knox 30-15 but then were defeated by Olivet College (Michigan) by a 34-7 score. The Scots rebounded to take the third dual in a 42-9 romp over Illinois College. Four Monmouth wrestlers ended their first competition of the season with perfect records, led by senior Andy Majetic (East Moline,IL/United Township) with a 3-0 mark at 177 pounds. Junior Luke Burton (Monmouth, IL/HS) also won his three matches at 158 pounds and two freshman wrestlers were undefeated for Monmouth as Donnie Malmquist (Lake Havasu,AZ/HS) [3-0, 134 pounds] and Matt Nelson (Morton,IL/HS) [2-0, 134 pounds] were impressive in their collegiate debuts.
Senior Scott Bayer (Schaumburg,IL/Hoffman Estates), an NCAA tournament qualifier at heavyweight last year, went 2-1 in three matches, as did junior Jeff Harris (Romeoville,IL/HS) in the 142-pound division. Other Fighting Scots recording individual victories included senior Derek Harris (Romeoville,IL/HS) at 167 pounds (1-2), senior Casey Schrock (Aledo,IL/HS) at 190 pounds (1-1) and junior Chris Norkus (Romeoville, IL/HS) at 150 pounds (1-1).
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We were pretty good for the first time out,@ said Olson of his squad=s first action of the season. AWe were geared up to beat Olivet and probably should have, but we pressed too hard and made some mistakes.@ The Scots may have a chance to revenge their only loss of the young season as the team takes a trip north to the Olivet College Duals this weekend. Monmouth will attempt to improve upon last year=s 0-2-1 record at Olivet.