EDAR FALLS, Iowa -Â Little Rock Wrestling went 2-0 on Day 1 of the NWCA National Duals, held on the campus of Northern Iowa. The Trojans faced two familiar foes, SIUE and Pac-12 opponent Cal Poly, coming away with decisive victories.
How It Happened
W; Little Rock 39, SIUE 6
Little Rock started the day strong, posting a commanding 39-6 victory over SIUE. The momentum began with veteran Jayden Carson, who defeated Drew Davis by decision (5-4). Nasir Bailey followed with another decision over Marcel Lopez.
The Trojans built on their momentum when Brennan Van Hoecke earned a win by fall (1:27), putting Little Rock ahead 12-0. Jordan Williams then secured a major decision victory, and Matty Bianchi added a tech fall to extend the lead.
Joseph Bianchi sealed the match with a pin in his bout, pushing the Trojans to an unassailable 22-0 lead.
Additional wins by Tyler Brennan (Dec., 1-0), Brock DelSignore (MD, 15-7), and Stephen Little (TF, 22-7) padded the score, leading to a dominant 39-6 finish.
W; Little Rock 22, Cal Poly 19
The Trojans faced a tougher test in their Pac-12 opponent, Cal Poly. The match began with setbacks as Jayden Carson and Nasir Bailey fell to their opponents, putting Little Rock in an early 9-0 deficit. Brennan Van Hoecke got the Trojans on the board with a major decision victory.
In the next three matches, Little Rock was outscored 6-3, with Matty Bianchi securing a decision victory over Legend Lamer. Trailing 7-15, Tyler Brennan reignited Little Rock's comeback with a big pin over Blake Hinrichsen, cutting the deficit to 13-15.
Brock DelSignore then gave the Trojans the lead with a major decision victory over Jake Honey. Needing a clutch performance to secure the win, Stephen Little delivered with his second tech fall of the day, putting Little Rock up by seven points with one match remaining.
The Trojans held on to edge Cal Poly 22-19 in a thrilling finish.
Up Next
Little Rock advances to the semifinal dual against South Dakota State, scheduled for tomorrow at 11 a.m. The match will be streamed live on FloWrestling, with updates available on social media.
