Little Rock Rolls Over Chattanooga, Shows Off Big Growth at Battle in the River City

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Little Rock wrestling faced a trio of tough Division I teams today, dominating Chattanooga 28-5 at the end of a full day of wrestling. The Trojans took nine bouts from the Mocs at the neutral venue, a cherry on top of a competitive event for the team, after splitting bouts with Campbell and taking on powerhouse #14 Iowa State only minutes later.

"I knew it could go either way," said head coach Neil Erisman. "We had just lost a couple duals and we could've been down on ourselves, but I was happy with the way we responded. I challenged them to be tougher longer than their opponent, and we did exactly what we were capable of." 

Little Rock also nearly stole the first dual of the day, opening with a tight 18-15 finish against Campbell, a team receiving votes in the NWCA Preseason Division I Wrestling Coaches poll. The Trojans split bouts with the Camels, with the scrappy match coming down to the very last bout.

"I think we could've won a couple other matches in that dual," added Coach Erisman. "We believed we were gonna win, and we believe we let them get away with one. Even though we didn't get the win, it showed us who we could be. We're doing harder and tougher things and we are growing up fast. It's excited to see."

They went right into their next dual versus #14 Iowa State, claiming wins at 125 and 157 before the Cyclones' loaded upper weights drove home the 7-33 result.
 
"I don't think we wrestled bad as a whole against Iowa State," said Coach Erisman. "There were a couple that were tough or disappointing, but it was good to see Jeremiah step up and wrestle at high level and it was good to see Matty get a win and make adjustments after learning some hard lessons against Campbell."

Jeremiah Reno and Jayden Carson shared a perfect day for the Trojans at 125, going 2-0 and 1-0, respectively. Meanwhile, Joseph Bianchi, Matty Bianchi, Tyler Brennan, Triston Wills and Stephen Little each finished 2-1 in their three appearances.
 
Two Trojans took down opponents that received honorable mention nods in the ranking by FloWrestling. Reno had a comfortable win against 2022 NCAA qualifier Ashton of Chattanooga to kick off a string of Little Rock wins, while in his career debut, freshman Little topped Campbell's Hopkins.
 
Reno and Little were also the sole Trojans to score bonus points throughout the entire day. Little took home a major decision in his match against Chattanooga, while Reno claimed a major decision of his own versus Iowa State.

"I think they both wrestled hard and tried to win at every position," remarked Coach Erisman. "I was happy with everyone's efforts, but I felt like they really went out to separate themselves."
 
While these were the first meetings with Campbell and Iowa State for the Trojans, it was the second time that Little Rock has gone head-to-head with Chattanooga. The Trojans faced the Mocs at Oklahoma State two years ago, falling 16-23, meaning that today's win splits the series. Today's results moves Little Rock to 2-2 on the year, with plenty of season still ahead.


Results vs Campbell
125: Jayden Carson DEC Zak Thompson, 9-6
133: #HM Domenic Zaccone TF Josh Sarpy, 22-7 (7:00)
141: Shannon Hanna DEC Jayden Gomez, 6-2
149: Joseph Bianchi DEC Callum Sitek, 5-1
157: Troy Nation DEC Matty Bianchi, 5-3
165: Tyler Brennan DEC Dom Baker, 3-0
174: #22 Triston Wills DEC Cole Rees, 3-1
184: #HM Caleb Hopkins MD Mason Diel, 10-2
197: Stephen Little DEC #HM Levi Hopkins, 9-5
285: #18 Taye Ghadiali DEC Josiah Hill, 10-4

Results vs #14 Iowa State
125: Jeremiah Reno MD Caleb Fuessley, 12-4
133: Zach Redding MD Josh Sarpy, 14-5
141: Jacob Frost DEC Jayden Gomez, 6-2
149: Paniro Johnson DEC Joseph Bianchi, 3-2
157: Matty Bianchi DEC Jason Kraisser, 4-1
165: #4 David Carr MD Tyler Brennan, 11-1
174: MJ Gaitan F #22 Triston Wills (5:27)
184: #5 Marcus Coleman TF Mason Diel, 18-2 (3:34)
197: #7 Yonger Bastida MD Stephen Little, 11-3
285: #13 Sam Schuyler MD Josiah Hill, 20-7
 
Results vs Chattanooga
125: Jeremiah Reno DEC #HM Logan Ashton, 6-1
133: #HM Brayden Palmer TF Josh Sarpy, 15-0 (7:00)
141: Jayden Gomez DEC Franco Valdes, 5-3
149: Joey Bianchi DEC Grant Lundy, 5-3
157: Matty Bianchi DEC Cole Cochran, 5-2
165: Tyler Brennan DEC Weston Wichman, 7-1
174: #22 Triston Wills DEC Thomas Sell, 6-2
184: Mason Diel DEC Sergio Desiante, 6-3
197: Stephen Little MD Landon Lewis, 22-8
285: Josiah Hill DEC Logan Andrew, 5-0


For the latest information on Little Rock Wrestling, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockWRES on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
 
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