On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the Rockhurst wrestling team defeated Bishop Miege 48-24. This senior-night win comes after little success in the previous week’s two-day Winnetonka tournament. The wrestling Hawklets haven’t seen much team success this season, in general, but they came together for a strong performance on senior night.

Unlike previous duels where Rockhurst has struggled to simply get wrestlers to compete, both Rockhurst and Miege had two uncontested matches, starting both teams off on an even playing field. The Hawklets have started out with a point deficit in most of their duels this year due to a lack of wrestlers in certain weight classes.

Hawklet head coach Rich Wikiera, who returned to Rockhurst after a one-year stint as Miege’s assistant wrestling coach, said going into the duel, the Stags “work on the half nelson quite a bit” but that he expected his wrestlers to be better at takedowns and tilts. 

That proved to be true as the Hawklet’s won seven of nine contested matches, five of those by fall. Junior Luke Tyrer (138 lbs) and sophomores Gage Nelson (215 lbs) and Shane McEnany (132 lbs) all pinned their opponents in the first round. Senior Andrew Shipman (190 lbs) and sophomore Anthony Totta (165 lbs) had to wait until the third period to notch the takedown that led to their respective pins.

“I can improve on my endurance,” says Shipman, who won his match after a long struggle with his opponent. However, he says that even though he “got a little tired at the end…it didn’t matter” because he eventually came out on top.

Dominic DeWees ‘25 (127 lbs) and Robert Purcell ‘24 (150 lbs) were the only two wrestlers who took their matches the full distance, winning on points. Bobby Clemons ‘24 (175 lbs) and Sam Reyna ‘25 (113 lbs) each secured three points from their two uncontested matches.

Wikiera said he was proud of his wrestlers for “the way they were patient and worked for the takedowns [because] once they did, they rode them to death.” These fundamental moves are what the Hawklets have been drilling all year. Their hard work is “finally starting to show,” Wikiera said.

Before the duel began, Shipman and fellow senior Logan Bayhylle ‘23 were recognized for their commitment and leadership as part of the senior night tradition.

The Rockhurst wrestling team will look to make some noise later this month when districts start Feb. 17.