LITTLE ROCK – It's always good to get a win at home, and it's especially good to get that win with a dominant 48-3 victory, thanks to four technical falls and four pins. Little Rock won nine of the 10 individual bouts over Carl Albert State in their season opener. Five of those wins came in the first period to impress big in the first of five home dates.
The changes to the scoring system, chiefly the increase in points awarded for a takedown from two points to three, helped the match fly by in favor of the Trojans. Little Rock tallied 26 takedowns throughout the night, allowing the visitors just two of their own in the entire dual.
"It was exactly what we needed," said head coach
Neil Erisman. "We started off hot and kept rolling. Plus, those three-point takedowns really make a difference."
The four pins, all collected in the first period of their respective bouts, also swung the energy in Little Rock's favor.
Matty Bianchi kicked it off with a fall at 157 pounds, already 11 points ahead of his opponent but clinching the pin instead of the technical fall for that extra team point.
Tyler Brennan hit one stealthy takedown to finish it just halfway through the first period at 174 pounds.
Triston Wills followed right after at 184 pounds, collecting his pin seven seconds faster for just the second fall of his Trojan career and first in a dual.
Josiah Hill put a cherry on top of the night with a fall at heavyweight after amassing total control from start to finish.
Four Trojans racked on the points to earn technical falls, outscoring their opponents by 15 points or more to end the match early.
Jeremiah Reno began the night on a good note at 125 pounds, taking home a 18-2 technical fall in the first period.
Josh Sarpy followed at 133 pounds, not allowing his foe a single point in a 17-0 victory.
Brendon Abdon posted a score of 17-2 to end his bout at 165 pounds in the second period, while fellow redshirt freshman
Stephen Little totaled a team-high six takedowns en route to a 20-4 win at 197 pounds. Meanwhile,
Brennan Van Hoecke won by major decision just one point away from a tech fall.
"The team's attitude was consistent throughout the whole match," Coach Erisman added. "In the past, we didn't go through those hard moments in matches. Today, our shape was on point, our positioning was there, and our guys look good physically. We've got good energy right now."
Little Rock will return to the Jack Stephens Center on November 17 to take on the ranked Oklahoma Sooners at 7 p.m. Before that, however, they'll hit the road for the Tiger Style Invitational. Hosted by Mizzou on November 11, it will be the first tournament of the season for the Trojans.
RESULTS
125:
Jeremiah Reno (Little Rock) TF RJ Jones (Carl Albert State), 18-2 (2:30)
133:
Josh Sarpy (Little Rock) TF Ryder Clark (Carl Albert State), 17-0 (4:39)
141:
Brennan Van Hoecke (Little Rock) MD Cooper Evans (Carl Albert State), 17-3
149: Jaden Two Lance (Carl Albert State) DEC
Jake Adams (Little Rock), 7-1
157:
Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) F Cade Evans (Carl Albert State), 2:27
165:
Brendon Abdon (Little Rock) TF Noah Smith (Carl Albert State), 17-2 (4:53)
174:
Tyler Brennan (Little Rock) F Matthan Mason (Carl Albert State), 1:30
184: #33
Triston Wills (Little Rock) F Trey Hudgens (Carl Albert State), 1:23
197: #21
Stephen Little (Little Rock) TF Hunter Hall (Carl Albert State), 20-4 (4:32)
285: #31
Josiah Hill (Little Rock) F Austin Blair (Carl Albert State), 2:32
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