The Wabash wrestling team honored the five members of its senior class Friday evening prior to dismantling Manchester University by a final score of 45-8.
 
Seniors Hunter Bates, Owen Doster, Ethan Herrin, Kaleb Mooney, and Darden Schurg were recognized for their contributions over their careers as members of the Little Giant program. Wabash, recently named the number-one Division III wrestling team in the nation in this week's National Wrestling Coaches Association poll, proceeded to record six pins, one 6-3 decision, and a forfeit in its victory over the Spartans.
 
The Little Giants trailed 4-0 after Manchester scored a major decision in the 125-pound bout. Rodney Hendricks put Wabash in front with a first-period pin 2:15 into his 133-pound match after scoring an initial takedown. Doster followed with a 24-second pin at 141 pounds to put Wabash in front 12-4. Manchester scored its final points of the night with a major decision at 149 pounds to trim the team score to 12-8.
 
Austin Bethel picked up a forfeit at 149 pounds before the Little Giants reeled off three consecutive pins. Kyle Hatch started the streak with a pin at the 2:11 mark of his match at 165 pounds. Schurg needed only 35 seconds to score a win by fall at 174 pounds. Herrin added a pin at the 2:01 mark of the first period in his 184-pound match.
 
Freshman Jack Heldt scored a takedown in the first period of his 197-pound weight class bout. He added four near-fall points in the second period for an eventual 6-1 victory to push the Wabash team lead to 39-8. Heavyweight Max Bishop provided the final points of the evening with a first-period pin at 2:01.
 
Wabash will compete next Saturday, November 23, at the Concordia Open in Wisconsin.