Trojans Split Matches to Close Regular Season with Program-Best Dual Record

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Little Rock wrestling team split back-to-back duals with MAC teams Ohio and SIUE this afternoon to conclude the regular season, rolling over Ohio 28-12 before dropping a tight match 14-22 to hosts SIUE right after. The Trojans collected five dual wins this year, more than the past three seasons combined.
 
"Today's a tale of two tapes," said head coach Neil Erisman. "We responded in the first one. When you come and wrestle tough teams that don't expect to lose to you, you can give them a reason to lay down, and we did that to Ohio in the first match."
 
"We had so many opportunities to flip flop the SIUE score," Coach Erisman continued. "Instead of going out and executing in that moment, we held on to win instead of going and taking it and putting people away. I'm happy with a lot of things today, but there were some little things in the SIUE match that are frustrating."
 
Three Little Rock wrestlers ended with perfect 2-0 days: Jeremiah Reno, Matty Bianchi and Tyler Brennan. 
 
Reno boasts a 16-7 mark to lead the team in individual wins, finishing the regular season with a four-win streak to turn in a 10-4 dual record. Bianchi moves a 13-10 record, 9-6 in duals, while Brennan reached double-digit wins at 11-5 and 8-5 in duals.
 
"Jeremiah improved on the second match," commented Coach Erisman. "It's great to see him bounce back after being a little frazzled in the first match but still finding a way to win and close out the dual season like that."
 
"Matty was gritty today," observed head coach Neil Erisman. "He's turning a corner. He's listening and mindful of what he's supposed to be doing. When he does that and sticks to the plan, he's stinking tough and hard to beat."
 
"Tyler is sticking to his gameplan and staying solid to it," Coach Erisman added. "The more that he realizes he can do what he did in the second time, he's going to be tough to beat and is going to be in every day."
 
Stephen Little also was undefeated, going 1-0 after solely appearing in the Ohio match to claim his tenth win of the year. The true freshman was described by Coach Erisman as "a breath of fresh air" as well as one to watch next year.
 
As a whole, Little Rock is one to watch in the future. Collecting more wins this year than in their first three years as a program combined, the Trojans finished the dual season with a 5-10 record, showing a massive improvement over the course of the team's short tenure.
 
Little Rock 28, Ohio 12
 
Jeremiah Reno started Little Rock off on the right foot with a 3-2 decision, paving the way for the Trojans to take four of the following five bouts.
 
At 133 pounds, Josh Sarpy commanded an 8-0 major decision with a heavy full-period ride and swipes in the last two minutes, making him one of three Trojans to earn bonus points in the first match.
 
The other two were Matty Bianchi, who won by injury default to snag six team points, and Josiah Hill, who found his third pin of the season in the second period instead of settling with a technical fall.
 
True freshman Brennan Van Hoecke got the start at 141 pounds today, collecting his first dual win by 7-1 decision against Ohio after an explosive six-point effort in the first period and strong ride in the second period.
 
Also taking home wins in the first match were Tyler Brennan, continuing to develop his relentless ride out strategy for a 1-0 decision, and true freshman Stephen Little's 9-3 decision, who completed four takedowns and did not allow single offensive point from his opponent.
 
SIUE 22, Little Rock 14
 
While Jeremiah Reno paced his way to four takedowns in a 15-7 major decision to open the second match, the Trojans were put in a hole after dropping the next three in a row, with two of those bonus points for SIUE.
 
Matty Bianchi helped turned things around with a 5-2 decision thanks to a pair of reversals and riding time to earn his perfect day.
 
Following Bianchi, Tyler Brennan found his rhythm to rack up points and tab another major decision for the Trojans at 11-0. Meanwhile, Triston Wills broke his unlucky streak for a 4-0 decision of his own, putting Little Rock ahead by one team point. However, the next three decisions went SIUE's way to lock in the 22-14 result.
 
 
Up Next
The Trojans have exactly three weeks until the Pac-12 Championships on March 5, where everyone has the chance to fight for a spot in the national tournament.
 
 
RESULTS vs Ohio
125: Jeremiah Reno DEC Oscar Sanchez (Ohio), 3-2
133: Josh Sarpy MD Paul Woo (Ohio), 8-0
141: Brennan Van Hoecke DEC Kyran Hagan (Ohio), 7-1
149: #31 Alec Hagan (Ohio) DEC Joseph Bianchi, 6-4
157: Matty Bianchi win by injury default over #26 Peyten Kellar (Ohio)
165: Tyler Brennan DEC Jordan Slivka (Ohio), 1-0
174: #24 Sal Perrine (Ohio) F Triston Wills, 4:20
184: Zayne Lehman (Ohio) DEC Mason Diel, 6-0
197: Stephen Little DEC Carson Brewer (Ohio), 9-3
285: Josiah Hill F Drew Harris (Ohio), 4:21
 
RESULTS vs SIUE
125: Jeremiah Reno MD Austin Macias (SIUE), 15-7
133: Aaron Schulist (SIUE) MD Josh Sarpy, 14-6
141: #30 Saul Ervin (SIUE) F Brennan Van Hoecke, 7:25
149: #21 Caleb Tyus (SIUE) DEC Joseph Bianchi, 6-2
157: Matty Bianchi DEC Caine Tyus (SIUE), 5-2
165: Tyler Brennan MD Hayden Shepherd (SIUE), 11-0
174: Triston Wills DEC Chase Diehl (SIUE), 4-0
184: Sergio Villalobos (SIUE) DEC Mason Diel, 3-2
197: Ryan Yarnell (SIUE) DEC Matthew Weinert, 6-0
285: #13 Colton McKiernan (SIUE) DEC Josiah Hill, 3-0

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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