Five LC Wrestlers Place at Lindenwood Open

[November 22, 2017] 

On Saturday, the Lincoln College Wrestling team entered 11 athletes in the highly competitive Lindenwood University Open. Five Lynx wrestlers placed in the event which featured in excess of 30 teams and over 600 total competitors spread out across ten weight classes.

The open tournament drew some of the top programs in the nation from all levels of completion. NCAA Division I, NAIA, and top ranked Junior College programs were all represented.

Lincoln College Coach Mike Mena saw this event as the toughest test yet for his squad. “We have tried to progressively up the difficulty level with our schedule and this was by far the highest caliber event yet,” said Mena.

The highest placing wrestler for Lincoln was Brian Holloway who took 3rd in the 174 lb. weight division. The freshman from Oak Park, IL lost in the semi-final of the champion’s bracket then won twice to finish 5-1 on the day.

Two LC wrestlers who took 5th place finishes were freshmen Palidin Martinez (Moline) at 141 (lbs.) and Josh McKinney at 149 (lbs.). Matinez and McKinney both finished with three wins and two losses in the event.

Other Lynx to reach the podium were freshman Burk Van Horn (Morgantown, IN) and sophomore Jordan Brandon (South Gate, MI). Both wrestlers took 6th place finishes with Van Horn competing at 165 (lbs.) and Brandon at 285 (lbs.).

Coach Mena was satisfied with his team’s performance, but sees the potential for more in the future. He said, “Given the level of competition at this tournament, to have five placers is pretty good. We always hope to come away with a champion or two, but since this was out toughest test yet, we will take it.”

Next up for Lincoln will be the Jim Koch Open on December 2nd hosted by the University of Wisconsin at Parkside.

[Mark Tippett
Lincoln College
Sports Information]