Wrestling Closes Calendar Year at Blithe Memorial Duals

Hildebrand totals three wins

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In a weekend of five duals hosted by Cornerstone University (Mich.), the Northwestern wrestling squad finished 1-4 at the Blithe Memorial Duals.

First, the Raiders met Muskegon Community College (Mich.) and Campbellsivlle (Ky.) on Friday. Northwestern had a dominant win over Muskegon CC, winning 57-0 in part to three pins, a tech fall, and a major decision. Jaxson Hildebrand (Fr., Denison, Iowa) was responsible for the 15-4 major decision, while Logan Schroeder (So., Pella, Iowa), Brody Hoversten (So., Alden, Iowa), and Jake Francksen-Small (Sr., Merrill, Iowa) all won by fall. The second dual of Friday, against Campbellsville, saw the Raiders fall 39-3.

It was a difficult Saturday in terms of the three losses for the Raiders, but not one without individual highlights. The first dual against Albion (Mich.) saw Sean Heeney (Sr., Sioux City, Iowa) get a quick pin at 125 and Luke Jenness (Sr., Primghar, Iowa) collected a 16-2 major decision as his successful campaign continued. Hildebrand earned his second win of the day at 285, winning 9-6.

The Raiders then lost a close 27-25 contest to St. Ambrose (Iowa) in which Johnny Burnette (So., Spirit Lake, Iowa), Cade Braun (So., Corona, Calif.), Francksen-Small, and Hildebrand each had dominant wins. Also picking up a win in the dual was Kaleb Lind (Jr., Lindenhurt, Ill.).

In the final dual of the tournament, the Raiders faced the host school in Cornerstone (Mich.). Braun, Jenness, Lind, and Cole Rutter (So., Fostoria, Iowa) were all individual winners in the weekend finale.

Up Next: The Raiders will return to the mat on January 6, 2024 at the Hastings Open.

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

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Players Mentioned

Cade Braun: 149; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Johnny Burnette: 141; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Jake Francksen-Small: 174; 6' 0"; Senior

Sean Heeney: 125; 5' 7"; Senior

Brody Hoversten: 157; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Luke Jenness: 184; 5' 11"; Senior

Kaleb Lind: 197; 5' 10"; Junior

Cole Rutter: 165; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Logan Schroeder: 125; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Jaxson Hildebrand: 285; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Cade Braun
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: 149

Johnny Burnette
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: 141

Jake Francksen-Small
: 6' 0"; Senior
: 174

Sean Heeney
: 5' 7"; Senior
: 125

Brody Hoversten
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: 157

Luke Jenness
: 5' 11"; Senior
: 184

Kaleb Lind
: 5' 10"; Junior
: 197

Cole Rutter
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: 165

Logan Schroeder
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: 125

Jaxson Hildebrand
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: 285