Lopez wins as Blue Hawks start strong at DWU Open

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MITCHELL, S.D. — In the first tournament of the 2012-13 season, Dickinson State head wrestling coach Thadd O’Donnell didn’t have much to complain about.

The Blue Hawks had 23 pins and eight placers with senior Jose Lopez winning the heavyweight division during the Dakota Wesleyan Open on Saturday.

“We did really well,” O’Donnell said. “In our first outing, we definitely looked sharp as far as condition wise. Mental wise you have to get live-match situations.”

Lopez, a senior from Montebello, Calif., pinned Morningside’s Tyler Kacmarynski at 48 seconds.

“Jose looked really sharp the entire way,” O’Donnell said.

Brad Steele, a senior from Beach, and junior Bryden Lazaro each finished runner-up in their respective weight classes.

Lazaro lost to Augustana’s T.J. North by a 7-2 major decision at 125 pounds, while Steele lost to Isaiah Tatum from Grandview (Iowa) in an 8-3 major decision. Lazaro defeated North last year for the 125-pound championship at the DWU Open.

Jesse Hellinger took third at 184 pounds, defeating Christian Mays from Grandview in a 6-1 major decision. At 197 pounds, senior Kevin Keisler pinned Morningside’s Jared McCoy at 58 seconds.

Nestor Ruelas was fourth at 141, Brian Klevies was fifth at heavyweight and Manny Reyes was sixth at 157.

The Blue Hawks hit the road again next week for a dual Minnesota State Moorhead at 3 p.m. Friday and will then compete in the Concordia (Minn.) Open at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“We have to turn around right away, get back in the wrestling room and talk about the little things,” O’Donnell said. “We just have a few things as team we need to work on.”

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