GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The wrestling team began its 2018-19 season on Thursday, Nov. 1 with a home dual against NCAA Division III Alma College at the DU Student Center. The fifth season of DU wrestling started with a narrow 21-16 loss to the Scots who avenged last season's 24-21 loss to the Panthers in Alma.

Davenport had a strong start in the lower weight classes at 125 and 133 pounds picking up three points in each of those matches. Freshman Brendan Zelenka in his first collegiate action went down to the wire against Victor Sosa-Sevilla at 125 pounds. Zelenka pulled out the sudden victory 9-7 to get the dual off to the right start. Freshman Asher Meekhof at 133 pounds had a great showing in his first action as a Panther with a 4-0 decision over Chase Beecher.

Alma came storming back down 6-0 with three straight wins totaling 15 points. Jordan Ringler fell 8-2 at 141 pounds against Brendan Ladd. Zachary Cooper then defeated Cole Menck by fall at 2:38 in the 149-pound match. Jayce Kuehnlein continued the momentum for the Scots with a win by fall at 3:35 over Levi Six at 157 pounds.

Davenport surged back into the dual with three straight wins of their own to take a 16-15 lead. Brandon Dyke at 165 pounds defeated Erik Arnegard by major decision 13-4 to earn four points. Sam Greco at 174 pounds took down Joseph Vondrasek 7-5 for three points. Kyle Nixon at 184 pounds bested Dylan Seaton 14-10 in highest scoring match of the dual to give DU a one-point lead.

Alma at the higher weight classes proved to be too much for the Panthers. Austin Fox defeated Chris Cooper at 197 pounds by a 9-3 margin to take a 18-16 lead. The final matchup at 285 pounds saw Jacob Ransom control the mat to the tune of 7-0 over Weston DeHaven for the final score of 21-16.