Big Blue Wrestling returned home this past Wednesday, Dec. 4 to face off against Lincoln’s varsity team. They competed at the Wrestling Facility, and they beat Lincoln 41-12. They also had a few exhibition matches after the meet was over.

This meet was their first home meet since the initial open to the season and the tournament that was held in Griswold last month. This was also their first meet after their Thanksgiving break without competing. This was the chance for the second and third string guys at certain weight classes to get on the mat against Lincoln’s varsity team.

“Overall, I think it was good. I think giving them the opportunity to wrestle varsity competition is the right thing and they did well,” Coach Ryan Birt said. “A couple of kids that wrestled tonight, this was their first or second match of the year, and this was a perfect time for them to see what they can do.”

The meet started off with a loss, but Millikin picked it up in the end, even having three forfeits and a quick pin from freshman Maxx Fritz only 39 seconds into his match. 

It was 41-12 when the meet ended, but that didn’t count the exhibition matches that happened at the end. This was another chance for the guys who haven’t yet competed to get out there and compete.

They held their own against Lincoln and came out on top against the Lynx for another win in the season, stretching their streak to nine. This was another chance for them to show what they’ve got by competing against the Lincoln Lynx.  

“I think the guys went out there and wrestled with great tenacity and went after it, and I think they struggled in a couple areas,” Birt said. “This is why we wrestle varsity competition with our back-ups, so they can see any deficiencies and they can grow, so now we go back to film. We’re going to see the mistakes they’re making, and that’s how we develop them.”

After the meet, there were exhibition matches. These matches didn’t affect the score as they were after the initial meet. Wrestlers still got the chance to see what they’re capable of during the matches.

“After the varsity was over, we did some exhibition matches again because we’re trying to get guys an opportunity to get on the mat,” Birt said. “I mean, we can practice all day long, but if we don’t compete against other teams, we can’t really develop.”

The season started a month ago, but this was the first time the boys have really had a break from competing every week. The second and third string guys went out there and took the win to show that even though they haven’t competed yet, they’re still ready and hungry to win.

Millikin Wrestling goes live on Facebook for their competitions. They will be away for their next meet at Loras College in Key City Classic in Dubuque, IA on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 P.M. If you’re interested in more information, check out Millikin’s athletics page at www.athletics.millikin.edu.