NASHVILE, Tenn. – Taylor Gilardi (Fr.-Viroqua, Wis.) provided a major bright spot as the Lakeland wrestling team took a long road trip to compete in the Gator (Boots) Duals meet.

Gilardi won all three of his matches at 184 pounds as the Muskies faced three strong programs in the duals event hosted by Luther (Iowa) College. He recorded a pair of tough wins by decision and added a major decision to account for 10 of Lakeland's points as it finished 0-3 on the day.

Gilardi defeated Ira Kuehn of Luther 3-1 for the Muskies' only points in a 45-3 dual defeat against the hosts. He also won a 15-6 major decision over Wesley Barnes of Alma (Mich.) College and added a 5-1 decision over Alejandro Ordonez of the University of the Ozarks (Ark.) in Lakeland's final dual.

The Muskies finished 0-3 on the day, also losing to Alma 33-15 and to the Ozarks 44-6. In addition to Gilardi's victories, Lakeland also added individual wins by P.J. Ladd (Fr.-Chilton, Wis.) and Ronnie Balazs (Sr.-New Holstein, Wis.).

Ladd scored a 16-1 technical fall win over Richard Scroggins of Alma at 165 lbs., with the match over in just 2 minutes, 45 seconds. Balazs also added a win in the heavyweight division versus the Ozarks, edging Evan Sharpe 7-6 in overtime.

Lakeland is now idle for nearly a month until its next meet when it competes at the Cornell College Matman Invitational on Jan. 13 of the new year in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Gator (Boots) Duals Results