The art of taking an opponent to the mat and holding him there is a chess match of strategy, strength, science and sweat.
Saturday in Lindsborg, Bethany College Wrestling hosted the 8th Annual Swede Open as 220 wrestlers from 20 collegiate programs from around the area used 7 mats to compete in an age-old sport of brawn and technique.
“Our overall record as a team was 14-27,” BC’s Head Coach Courtney Strauss said following the tournament.
The Swedes were lead by senior 125-pounder Taylor Holman who went 2-2, freshman Jaden Evans went 3-2, wrestling at 149 pounds and former Smoky Valley standout Chase Pywell, freshman at 184 pounds was 2-2 on the day.
Wrestling teams from Division II, NAIA and junior colleges made the trip to compete in the gymnasiums at Smoky Valley High School. Strauss noted the competition was top notch with squads like Nebraska Kearney, ranked #4 in Division II and #17th ranked Fort Hays State in the building along with some top-end juco teams like number 7 Barton, 8th ranked Cloud County and 12th ranked Neosho. Strauss said he liked the way his young team stood up to the test, learning valuable lessons to take into the rest of the season.
Next up for the Bethany Swedes:
Saturday, November 23 at Kearney Open 10AM Kearney, NE