Warriors Battle Through GPAC Duals #2

CRETE, Neb.- Waldorf University walked out of the GPAC Duals #2 with a split result on Sunday, dropping an 18-32 dual to Hastings College before bouncing back for a gritty 24-22 victory over Midland University. The day featured momentum swings, firsts at the college level, and a strong response from key wrestlers as the Warriors navigated a demanding double-dual lineup.

In the opening dual against Hastings, Waldorf stayed competitive on the strength of a few standout performances, even as the Broncos pulled away on the team score. One of the biggest highlights came from Malachi Aispuros, who delivered a spark by earning a pin in the second period. His fall not only put six points on the board but also showcased the kind of finishing ability the Warriors can lean on in tight spots. That result helped keep the dual within reach, even as Hastings found bonus points elsewhere in the lineup.

At 141 pounds, Rev Baptista turned in one of the most hard-fought bouts of the day in that first dual. Baptista pushed the pace and kept the match tight into the third period before coming up just short in a narrow loss. While the result didn't swing Waldorf's way, Baptista showed composure, toughness and the ability to hang deep into a close match against quality opposition.

Hastings ultimately used its depth and a string of wins across multiple weights to create separation on the scoreboard. 

The Warriors answered in a big way against Midland, grinding out a 24-22 team win that showed both resilience and growth. One of the key stories of that dual was Ikuhaiakalani Akina, who broke through for his first college victory. Akina's decision win was worth three crucial team points and represented an important milestone in his collegiate career. Those points loomed large in a dual decided by just two on the final team tally.

Baptista then wrote the perfect comeback chapter to his earlier heartbreaker. Back on the mat at 141 against Midland, he flipped the script with an aggressive offensive attack, stringing together takedowns to control the tempo. That pressure paid off in the second period, where Baptista locked up a pin that swung the dual in Waldorf's favor. His fall provided six momentum-shifting points and stood out as one of the signature moments of the Warriors' day in Crete.

From Aispuros' second-period pin to Akina's first collegiate win and Baptista's bounce-back performance, the GPAC Duals #2 offered plenty of encouraging signs for Waldorf. The split result, highlighted by a tight win over Midland, gives the Warriors valuable experience in close duals and shows how quickly adjustments can pay off over the course of a long day on the mat. As the season moves forward, those decisive bouts and emerging contributors should give Waldorf confidence in its ability to battle through tough lineups and find ways to finish strong.