WAVERLY - The top-ranked Wartburg wrestling team is set to host No. 3-ranked Loras College Friday evening for the American Rivers Conference Championship. The dual is set to begin at 7 p.m. inside Levick Arena.

#1 WARTBURG COLLEGE (16-0, 7-0 A-R-C) VS. #3 LORAS COLLEGE (13-1, 7-0 A-R-C)
Date: Friday, Feb. 14, 2020
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: Waverly, Iowa // Levick Arena
Series: Wartburg leads 53-8-3
Radio: KWAY Country AM 1470 FM 96.3 // Greg Hovden, Al Hoeper

PROJECTED LINEUPS

Loras
125 – Matt Randone
133 – Mason McMillen
141 – Clint Lembeck
149 – Daniel Ruiz
157 – Brandon Murray
165 – Eddie Smith
174 – Jacob Krakow
184 – Shane Liegel
197 – Guy Patron Jr.
HWT – Wyatt Wriedt

Wartburg
125 – Brady Kyner
133 – Kris Rumph OR Joe Pins
141 – Brady Fritz OR Nick Meling
149 – Brock Rathbun OR Zayren Terukina
157 – Martine Sandoval
165 – Max Forsyth
174 – Paul Calo
184 – Kyle Briggs
197 – Kobe Woods
HWT – Jordon Brandon

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Wartburg has won 27 consecutive conference championships dating back to 1993. The Knights defeated Loras last season in Dubuque to secure the program's 37th overall conference crown, defeating the Duhawks 23-16.

THE SERIES
Friday's match will mark the 69th meeting between the Wartburg and Loras, with the Knights holding a 53-8-3 series advantage. The Orange & Black have prevailed in 29-straight contests against the Duhawks, dating back to the 1991-92 season. In addition, the two teams have met for the conference title in four consecutive seasons.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

Date           Home/Away       Result
2/8/19                A        ​​​​​​​        W, 23-16
2/9/18            ​​​​​​​    ​​H                W, 35-3
2/9/17        ​​​​​​​        A                W, 32-0
2/12/16        ​​​​​​​      H               ​​​​​​​ W, 45-6
2/13/15            ​​​​​​​  A                ​​​​​​​W, 33-6

KNIGHTS ON TOP OF NWCA RANKINGS
The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) released its sixth edition of Division III dual meet team rankings on Monday, Feb. 10, with Wartburg ranked No. 1 for a third consecutive poll and the fifth time this season. 

Individually, eight Knights are ranked throughout respective weight classes, including a top ranking for Kris Rumph at 133.  

125 - Brady Kyner, 7th
133 - Kris Rumph, 1st
141 - Brady Fritz, 4th
157 - Martine Sandoval, 10th
165 - Max Forsyth, 6th
184 - Kyle Briggs, 2nd
197 - Kobe Woods, 3rd
285 - Jordon Brandon, 8th

WARTBURG NOTES

• Wartburg is ranked No. 1 in the latest NWCA DIII poll, earning the top ranking for the fifth time this season.
  • Eight Knights are ranked throughout respective weight classes in the latest NWCA poll, including a No. 1 ranking for Kris Rumph at 133 lbs.
• Senior Max Forsyth leads the Knights with 24 wins. Kyle Briggs and Brady Fritz trail with 20 each.
• Forsyth and Fritz share the team lead with 12 pins each.

LORAS NOTES

• Loras is ranked No. 3 by NWCA, with six individuals ranked in the top 10 of respective weight classes, including a No. 1 ranking for Guy Patron Jr. at 197 lbs.
• The Duhawks are unbeaten during conference action and their sole loss on the year came against No. 1 Augsburg in the semifinals of the NWCA National Duals. 
• Loras has defeated 10 ranked opponents this season, including wins over top-five opponents Wabash and Coe.