Two First-Place Finishers Highlight Wrestling's Season Opener

Seven Raiders reach championship bouts

YORK, Neb. – Northwestern finished with the highest winning percentage among the 13 teams at the York Open, including four Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) squads. Johnny Burnette and Cole Rutter both won their first collegiate tournaments, with 11 Raider wrestlers finishing in the top-six of their respective brackets.

Burnette (So., Spirit Lake, Iowa) pushed his way through the 133-pound class, pinning his first two opponents and winning by technical fall (20-2) in the championship bout over Colby CC's Martinez.

The other first-place winner, Rutter (So., Fostoria, Iowa) went 3-0 on his way to the title in the 174 bracket, taking a close 11-10 decision over Hastings' Naim Abuelijubean.

Second-place finishers included Logan Schroeder (So., Pella, Iowa), Daniel Hinds (Jr., Le Mars, Iowa), Trevor Sagness (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.), Pepe Sanchez (Sr., San Diego, Calif.), and Sam Vonnahme (Jr., Saint Charles, Iowa), while Cade Braun (So, Corona, Calif.), Coy De Boer (Fr., Archer, Iowa), and Thomas Vance (Fr., Pleasant Dale, Neb.) placed third. Ky Bandy (So., Limon, Colo.) also worked his way into the top-six.

"Proud of our young guys. They really went out and worked to score points," commented head coach Rik Dahl. "We had the highest winning percentage in the tournament with 38 wins and most of those were bonus points. Really proud of Johnny and Cole for winning their first college tournaments, as well as the other nine Raiders who placed in the top-six. It's a great start on the season, but we have a lot to work on over the next week for the Falcon Invite."

Up Next: Northwestern will hit the road for another meet, heading to the Friends (Kan.) Falcon Invite next Saturday, November 4.

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

Ky Bandy: 165; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Cade Braun: 149; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Johnny Burnette: 141; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Daniel Hinds: 149; 5' 7"; Junior

Cole Rutter: 165; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Trevor Sagness: 184; 5' 11"; Senior

Pepe Sanchez: 197; 5' 9"; Senior

Logan Schroeder: 125; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Thomas Vance: 184; 5' 11"; Freshman

Sam Vonnahme: 285; 6' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Ky Bandy
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: 165

Cade Braun
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: 149

Johnny Burnette
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: 141

Daniel Hinds
: 5' 7"; Junior
: 149

Cole Rutter
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: 165

Trevor Sagness
: 5' 11"; Senior
: 184

Pepe Sanchez
: 5' 9"; Senior
: 197

Logan Schroeder
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: 125

Thomas Vance
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: 184

Sam Vonnahme
: 6' 6"; Junior
: 285