Sonnabend comes up big for Trojans!

Freshmen Tyler Sonnabend comes up big for HLGU last night with a win over Esmond Ford who is ranked 15th in the NAIA!

Follow this link to recap of last night's dual vs. Mo. Baptist.
http://www.hlgtrojans.com/article/386.php

Middleburg High School Bronco Wrestler Signs with HLGU

Hannibal, MO - The Hannibal-LaGrange University Wrestling program is pleased to have signed Kyle McClinton. McClinton will graduate from Middleburg High School of Middleburg, FL in May of 2013. 

McClinton’s combined career record leading up to his senior year is 63-21. McClinton is a three year captain of the Middleburg Bronco’s wrestling team. “McClinton is a tough wrestler. I’ve seen him wrestle and was impressed with his love for wrestling and desire to improve on the mat. I’m looking forward to seeing how Kyle performs throughout his senior season and I can’t wait to get him in our room next fall’, said HLGU Head Wrestling Coach Scott Hawes. McClinton plans to wrestle at 141 pounds for the Trojans. McClinton also played football for the Middleburg Broncos. McClinton plans on majoring in Media Communications at HLGU.

McClinton is the son of Allen and Erika Hilty.

HLGU is a Division I NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) school and a member of the American Midwest Conference.

First Tournament of the Season in the Record Books

Dubuque, IA- Last Saturday the Trojans competed in the Loras Open. The Loras Open host the Gold Division for all sophomores and above wrestlers and the Silver Division for all freshmen wrestlers. This year there were more division one wrestlers in Silver Division than in previous years. As a team we had more tournament placers than in previous years and also had more individual wrestlers start out the season with wins at the first tournament than previous years.

 

Below is a list of wrestlers who placed in the 2012 Loras Open.

 

Gold Division

165- Bryce Alexander took 6^th place. He had a win over University of Illinois' Adam Acheson before loosing in the consolation semifinals against Dallas Houchins from Grandview.

174-Nathan Downs started out the day with a 6-5 win over Loras College's Tom Gross. He then faced Ethan Ball from Coe College and lost by fall. Ball went on to become the tournament champions. Downs battled back after this loss and ended the day in 4^th place.

197- Dan Capp took 4^th place. Dan had a win over University of Wisconsin’s Brandon Weber before loosing to Dalton Peterson in the consolation finals. Capp is decending down to 184 lbs this season.

 

Silver Division-Freshmen

157- James Townsend took 7^th place. Townsend's first match of the tournament was against Dustin McClintlock of Truman State. Townsend had wrestled McClintlock in high school and Townsend had never won. This wasn't the case on Saturday Townsend handled the former Ozark High School wrestler nicely and came away with a 8-3 decision over McClintlock.

 

184-Steven "Brady" Ruby took 2^nd place and lost to Parker Hines a University of Wisconsin Unattached in the finals.

Other freshmen wrestlers with wins on the day for the Trojans were Bryar Ginther, Matt Mattingly, Tyler Sonnabend


Gold Division Brackets

 

Silver Division Brackets

Trojans Open Season Ranked 22nd

HANNIBAL, Mo – The Hannibal-LaGrange wrestling squad will start the 2012-13 season just outside of the NAIA Coaches Top-20 Poll. The Trojans currently sit with 17 points, just half a point away from William Penn University and one point away from breaking into the top-20.
Hannibal-LaGrange has received votes for the NAIA rankings in the past, but has never been as close to breaking into the top-20 as it is now.
The team also supports three nationally ranked individuals in junior Bryce Alexander, junior Nathan Downs and sophomore transfer Dan Carey.
After finishing last season with the most wins in team history, Alexander opens the 2012-13 season ranked seventh in the 165 pound weight class. The Maryville, Mo. native is a two time NAIA national qualifier and has accumulated 60 wins in his collegiate career.
"Bryce is going to move up throughout the season in the rankings," stated Head Coach Scott Hawes, "but it all matters what you do at the end of the year in the last tournament. I'm confident that he has as good of a chance as anyone."
"Nathan Downs has that same potential. Any of the top eight guys in his weight class could end up, at the end of the year, on the top of the platform. Nathan has just as good of a shot at that as anyone else."
Downs will start the season ranked eighth in the 174 pound weight class after qualifying for and finishing 12^th in the NAIA National Tournament last season. Carey begins the year ranked 14^th in the 197 pound weight class in his first season at Hannibal-LaGrange.
"Dan Carey is definitely a huge addition to the program this year. Coming in as a newcomer and being nationally ranked is a big plus for us. We're really excited to have him with the program and to get him out there representing the scarlet and blue."
Junior Trojan Dan Capp (184 lbs.) is another wrestler to watch this season as he is currently ranked fifth in the Central Region. He is a two year national qualifier and is tied for the second most wins in a season behind Alexander.
The Trojans will open its season November 3 at the Loras Open in Dubuque, Iowa before getting a chance to prove itself in a road dual at No. 10 Missouri Baptist University on November 7.
Hannibal-LaGrange University is a Division I NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) institution and a member of the American Midwest Conference.

-Jordan Argo, HLGU SID

2012-13 Trojan Wrestling Team

The 2012-13 Trojan Wrestling pre-season is off to a great start. The returning upper classmen leadership of Bryce Alexander, Dan Capp, Nathan Downs, Tommy Pickens, and Jake Hare is setting the pace for training. Junior transfer 197 lb wrestler Dan Carey (Waubonsee College) is also helping taking the lead with the upper weights.  New comers to watch out for this season are freshmen Bryar Ginther, Caleb Shuck, Matt Mattingley, Tyler Sonnabend,  James Townsend, Brady Ruby, Nigel Burnett, and Mike Wright. Pictures of each 2012-13 Trojan Wrestling team member and managers have been posted on our Facebook team page. Join our Facebook page by clicking here.

Updated Season Schedule

Hannibal- LaGrange University

2012- 2013 Wrestling Schedule

Blue and Red Dual (Intersquad Dual)....................... October 20^th, Hannibal, MO 10 am

IL State...................................................................... October 27^th, Hannibal, MO 4 pm
Loras Open................................................................. November 3^rd Dubuque, IA/ All Day
Missouri Baptist Dual................................................. November 7^th St. Louis, MO/ 7 pm
Knox College Invite.................................................... November 10^th Galesburg, IL/All Day
Truman State Dual ................................................... November 13^th Hannibal, MO/ 7 pm
Lindenwood University Open .................................... November 17^th  St. Charles, MO/ All Day
Missouri Baptist University Dual.............................. November 27^th   Hannibal, MO/ 7 pm
Maranatha Baptist Bible College................................. November 30^th Watertown, WI/ 5pm
Carroll College
Milwaukee School of Engineering Invite.................... December 1^st   Milwaukee, WI/ All Day
Grandview University................................................. December 6^th Des Moines, IA/ 7 pm
Indiana Tech Duals..................................................... December 8^th Fort Wayne, IN
Campbellesville.......................................................... 10 am
Indiana Tech............................................................... 11:30 am
Calumet College......................................................... 1 pm
University of Cumberlands......................................... 2:30 pm
Truett-McConell College.......................................... December 13^th Hannibal, MO/ 7 pm
University of Great Falls ......................................... January 3^rd  Hannbial, MO/ 7 pm
Knox College Dual Tournament................................. January 7^th Galesburg, IL/ All Day
Central College Invite................................................. January 12^th Pella, IA/ All Day
Missouri Valley College Invitational........................... January 19^th   Marshall, MO/ All Day
Grandview Open........................................................ January 26^th Des Moines, IA/ All Day
Harper Open............................................................... February 2^nd  Palatine, IL/ All Day
William Penn University............................................. February 7^th Oskaloosa, IA/ 7 pm
Central Regional Tournament..................................... February 18^th Marshall, MO/ All Day
NAIA National Tournament....................................... March 1^st -3^rd  Des Moines, IA

Wrestling Camp Photos

We had a great week of Trojan Wrestling Camp this summer!I can't wait to hear how our campers do this season!
Join Hannibal-LaGrange University Wrestling Group page on facebook to see more pictures!
-Coach Hawes