Your future, our focus
NWC Coach Sees Turning Point In Fort Dodge
A day after having what Northwest College head wrestling coach Jim Zeigler called his team’s “worst performance of the year,” the Trappers turned around and had their best.
On Jan. 15 NWC began a three-dual swing through Iowa, starting with Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs. The Trappers managed just four decision victories in the bout while falling 24-12 to the Reivers.
At 125 pounds, redshirt freshman Robert Gomez earned a 12-6 win, John-David Henderson (141) collected a 9-7 decision, 149-pound sophomore Jeff McCormick earned a 1-0 victory and sophomore Jon Wixom picked up a 6-1 victory at 197 pounds.
Despite the victories, Zeigler was unhappy with what he described as uninspired matches in which several of his grapplers “quit wrestling” before the final horn.
“The guys just came out really flat, but what was even worse is that it was just a real poor effort on their part,” Zeigler said. “There was a total lack of effort and a lack of courage. I was embarrassed.”
After the lackluster effort, Zeigler did his best to send a message to his team.
“The boys got a real stern talking to after we got back to the hotel,” he said. “I didn’t say anything to them until we got to the hotel ... I gathered them up and they got a stern talking to. Then I didn’t speak to them for about 18 hours, and that includes riding three hours in the van together where we didn’t speak."
On Friday, Zeigler instructed his wrestlers to give 100-percent effort for seven minutes, or he’d be forced “to make changes” to his starting lineup. According to Zeigler, 100 percent is what his team gave.
NWC battled two foes, Ellsworth Community College and Iowa Central Community College, both in Fort Dodge, and gave what Zeigler said were turn-around efforts.
The Trappers picked up their fourth dual victory of the year with a 28-19 triumph over Ellsworth. The Trappers went 6-4 against the Panthers, but lost only three bouts due to a forfeit at 184.
“They went out there and wrestled their hearts out against Ellsworth,” Zeigler said. “They beat a team that is far better than the team they lost to the night before. They just wrestled great.”
After Ellsworth, the Trappers took on No. 3-ranked Iowa Central, and went 4-6 (including another NWC forfeit at 184). Zeigler appeared to be more pleased with the ICCC loss than he was with the victory over Ellsworth.
“[Kaelen Loveless] goes out there and beats the No. 4-ranked guy in the country, Jacob Beck beats the No. 6 guy and Jeff (McCormick) beats the No. 8 guy in the country,” Zeigler said. “The team wrestled really hard. And they wrestled with courage, they wrestled with commitment and they gave 110 percent.
“So they got a lot of praise following that match, and I think they found themselves a little bit there through adversity and through a difficult evening at Council Bluffs.”
Results for NWC’s duals against Ellsworth and Iowa Central were not available.
The Trappers return to the mat Friday with a trip to Rock Springs to take on Western Wyoming Community College, who NWC edged 22-21 at home on Nov. 19.
Notes: Zeigler said Monday sophomore Gabe Escobedo has permanently won the first-string heavyweight spot. NWC’s alternate heavyweight, freshman Jorge Rodriguez, is out indefinitely Zeigler said.
“Jorge will not be competing,” Zeigler explained. “I hold my wrestlers to high expectations and Jorge did not meet his educational, team and civic obligations, and those are all things I require on my team.”