LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Despite a raft of injuries and weight-plan issues, the Linfield men's wrestling team had a "very productive trip" to the Desert Duals over the holiday weekend, Wildcats coach Frank Johnson said. 
 
"We came in knowing our focus needed to be on individual development, despite the fact that it's a dual tournament," Johnson said. "Our wrestlers all have different takeaways, but we saw important growth and progress against some really good competition." 
 
In terms of team scores, the Wildcats dropped a 52-3 dual decision to No. 1-ranked Wartburg (Iowa), a 48-7 dual outcome to NAIA power Arizona Christian and a 42-12 dual result to NCAA Upper Regionals rival Concordia University Wisconsin. The scores, though, don't accurately capture the competition in some ways. 
 
Linfield was without injured starters Jacob Moore, Carlos Kisokwa and Alex Tapia, and had to accept forfeits at two additional weight classes where NCAA-mandated weight plans didn't permit wrestlers to compete at their current weight classes until January. Ethan Ensrud made weight at 174 pounds, for instance, and won his matches in all three duals. But Linfield officially forfeited all three bouts, since Ensrud isn't technically cleared to wrestle at that weight yet. 
 
"Ethan is wrestling great right now, and is going to be a hard match for anyone at 174 pounds," Johnson said. "I'm looking forward to see him continue to develop as the season progresses." 
 
At 197 pounds, Divenson Willis had the same issue, and wrestled exhibition matches despite Linfield officially giving up forfeits at the weights. 
 
In his first matches at 184 pounds, Jonathon Fagen also went 3-0 on the day in Sin City. None of the matches were particularly close, and he controlled them wire-to-wire. 
 
"Jonathon is adjusting well to making the weight class," Johnson said. "He's competing at a high level." 
 
At 165 pounds, Lucien Lefebvre started the season 2-11 after missing all of last season with an injury. In Las Vegas, he won two of three matches and appears to be rounding back into form. He beat Arizona Christian's Christian Gallardo 11-5 and was ahead by the same score against Concordia's TJ Mackey when Mackey hit his head hard on the mat and withdrew from the match in an injury default. 
 
"There were many situations in which Lucien came out on top, where he would have been scored on earlier in the season," Johnson said. "That's definite growth." 
 
Johnson also said Max Vander Meide showed improvement at 133 pounds, despite not winning his matches. The sophomore from McMinnville "had some great moments," Johnson said. Those will start to pay off as he gets more experience. 
 
NEXT
Linfield hosts the Mat 'Cat Open on Sunday, January 5, starting at 9 a.m. inside the Ad and Joan Rutschman Fieldhouse.
   
Wartburg (Iowa) 52, Linfield 3
125: Dalton Whitehall Gikes (Wartburg) won by forfeit
133: Jamal Chakkour (Wartburg) pinned Max Vander Meide (Linfield), 2:10
141: Brady Stille (Wartburg) won by forfeit
149: Reese Osborne (Wartburg) won by forfeit
157: Daniel Meeker (Wartburg) pinned Fermin Carrillo (Linfield), 1:02 
165: Carter Proffitt (Wartburg) pinned Lucien Lefebvre (Linfield), 2:23 
174: (Exhibition) Ethan Ensrud (Linfield) pinned Seamus Poynton (Wartburg), 4:52 
184: Jonathon Fagen (Linfield) won by decision over Matthew Doyle (Wartburg), 12-5
197: (Exhibition) Greyson Gardner (Wartburg) pinned Divenson Willis (Linfield), 0:58 
HWT: Dillon Bailey (Wartburg) won by major decision over Julian Ortiz (Linfield), 14-4
 
Arizona Christian 48, Linfield 7
125: Abraham Pablo (Arizona Christian) won by forfeit 
133: Sean Archuleta (Arizona Christian) pinned Max Vander Meide (Linfield), 1:53
141: Daniel Butler (Arizona Christian) won by forfeit 
149: Josiah Bohn (Arizona Christian) won by forfeit 
157: Kevin Courseault (Arizona Christian) pinned Fermin Carrillo (Linfield), 0:33
165: Lucien Lefebvre (Linfield) won by decision over Christian Gallardo (Arizona Christian), 11-5
174: (Exhibition) Ethan Ensrud (Linfield) pinned Anthony Aguilera (Arizona Christian), 6:58
184: Jonathon Fagen (Linfield) won by major decision over Kaden Martin (Arizona Christian), 14-2
197: (Exhibition) Michael Moreno (Arizona Christian) pinned Divenson Willis (Linfield), 4:30 
HWT: Zion Longsine (Arizona Christian) pinned Julian Ortiz (Linfield), 1:54
 
Concordia University Wisconsin 42, Linfield 12
125: Double forfeit 
133: Anastacio Martinez (Concordia) pinned Max Vander Meide (Linfield), 1:09
141: Christopher Khaosanga (Concordia) won by forfeit 
149: Frank Budederi (Concordia) won by forfeit 
157: Mason Markham (Concordia) pinned Fermin Carrillo (Linfield), 0:19
165: Lucien Lefebvre (Linfield) won by medical forfeit over Brandon Monteiro (Concordia)
174: (Exhibition) Ethan Ensrud (Linfield) pinned TJ Mackey (Concordia), 1:39
184: Jonathon Fagen (Linfield) pinned Dawson Galvan (Concordia), 0:56
197: (Exhibition) Ruben Vasquez (Concordia) pinned Divenson Willis (Linfield), 1:28
HWT: Peyton Smith (Concordia) pinned Julian Ortiz (Linfield), 2:51