LAKELAND, Fla.—The 19
th ranked Fire wrestling team is set to host the Fire Duals this Saturday for the second time in as many years.
Despite coming into the bouts with a 4-6 record, Southeastern has showed dominance at home, going 3-1 in the four contests they have hosted. The Fire's average margin of victory during their homestand was 39 points, including two massive shutouts over Allen University (56-0) and the University of South Florida (59-0).
The Duals, which will begin at 9am, will consist of matches with Cumberland University, Life University, and Ouachita Baptist University.
Cumberland University is coming off of a solid performance at the NWCA National Duals, where they went a combined 3-2 against five teams ranked in the top 13 in the country. Their most impressive win came in a 31-7 defeat of #3 Williams Baptist.
Life University also comes into their matchup with the Fire with some momentum after finishing 3
rd in the NWCA National Duals. The Running Eagles triumphed over the 3
rd, 7
th, and 20
th ranked squads in the NAIA and have recorded wins against Truett-McConnell and Campbellsville University on the season.
Ouachita Baptist's recent matches have gone a little differently. The Tigers are 0-2 in their last two competitions, though the losses have come against skilled opponents in Lindenwood University and the University of Central Oklahoma.
Four individual wrestlers are nationally ranked in their weight classes for the Fire.
Adrian Hughes is ranked 10
th at 149, and pinned his opponent in Southeastern's last contest, a match with NCAA Division II Limestone College.
Giovanny Bonilla, who also won his contest against Limestone, is ninth in the 157-pound weight class.
Tim Dinsdale is the highest ranked Fire wrestler, as he comes in fifth in the nation at 165.
Zach Colgan rounds out the SEU lineup, ranking 13
th at 174.
Southeastern will look for this experience and confidence at home to guide them as they take on talented competition this Saturday.
Live Stats:
http://s200.trackwrestling.com/tw/seasons/MainFrame.jsp?TIM=1484070260285&twSessionId=sdrrkegqmlgckxm&loadBalanced=true
Live Video:
http://portal.stretchinternet.com/southeastern
