IU wrestling’s 2018-19 season began Saturday with a 25-12 loss at University of Virginia before the team also participated Sunday at the Hokie Open.
The Hoosiers had a quick start Saturday against the Cavaliers, as a redshirt freshman Paul Konrath gave the team a 3-0 lead in the match with a 10-3 decision win.
Against Will Schany, an NCAA qualifier from Virginia, IU junior Norman Conley found success as well with a 7-5 win via a takedown in sudden victory.
The team found more success Sunday at the Hokie Open — an event that only counted individual scores rather than a team score. Freshman Rudy Streck finished in second place in the freshman and sophomore division, weighing in at 285 lbs. Redshirt freshman Michael De la Peña finished in fourth place as well, weighing in at 141 lbs.
Outside the team’s younger wrestlers, senior Bryce Martin finished in second place for the Hoosiers at 165 lbs. Martin took down George Mason University's Colston Diblasi, 4-2, on his path to the final, before being defeated by Mekhi Lewis of Virginia Tech, 8-6.
IU seniors Elijah Oliver and Jake Danishek both finished in fourth for their respective weight classes. Danishek managed a major decision with a 14-1 win against Zachary Barnes of Campbell University in his second match. He pinned Tony Palumbo of Davidson as well in his quarterfinal.
Konrath followed his strong showing against Virginia with a third-place finish at 141 lbs. Sunday.
With a strong bounceback to end their first weekend of action, the Hoosiers should have momentum heading into their dual match against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Friday.
