Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Gary Walker of Iowa Central takes down No. 2 Cordell White of NIACC on Thursday inside Hodges Fieldhouse. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The sixth-ranked Iowa Central wrestling team served notice inside Hodges Fieldhouse on Thursday.

The Tritons (10-5 overall) rolled to a 36-4 victory over ICCAC foe and No. 10 NIACC.

“Our team is close,” said ICCC head coach Luke Moffitt. “They cheer each other on and care about what their teammate is out there doing.

“We had a tough week, but have bounced back. We need to peak properly and stay healthy. We have to lace them up and compete as we head to the postseason.”

Gary Walker (149) picked up the victory of the night for the Tritons, knocking off No. 2 All-American Cordell White.

The opponents went scoreless through two periods. Walker picked up an escape point and earned a riding point to close out the victory.

“That was a great win for Gary,” Moffitt said. “Cordell is an All-American and can score out of nowhere. Gary was able to hold him off and seal it.

“Gary has been in there battling, but just hasn’t been able to get that breakthrough match…until now.”

There were five ranked matchups on the slate, and the Tritons won four. Walker and Coen Grimm (197) earned upsets.

Grimm, ranked seventh, upset No. 5 Macray Klohs, 4-1. Grimm earned a three-point takedown with 19 seconds left for the victory.

“Both of those guys (Grimm and Klohs) at 197 have unique styles,” Moffitt said. “Coen has had a lot of close matches that could have gone either way.”

Seventh-rated Chance Davis (157) pinned Hansel Pompa in 1:25 for the Tritons’ only fall. Iowa Central won four matches by bonus points, though.

Fourth-rated Drew Cooper recorded a 20-4 technical fall at 133 pounds, while Matt Roche (141) had a 19-1 tech. fall. No. 12 Lawrence Rosario (174) had a 15-0 tech fall over Jonathan Korgman.

Fourth-ranked Jaydale Whitlock (125) prevailed in a hard-fought 13-8 decision over No. 11 Luis Azevedo to start the evening.

No. 7 Kaden King (165) earned another ranked matchup victory for the Tritons with a 12-7 decision over No. 11 Emmanuel Celestin.

Umair Ahmad ended the dual with a 4-2 decision at heavyweight over Xander Kenworthy. With the score tied 1-1, Ahmad recorded a takedown with 33 seconds in the period.

“We moved Umair up to heavyweight to help with the team,” Moffitt said. “He has done a great job and just goes out there and competes.”

The Tritons are back in action on Saturday when they head to Dubuque for a tournament at Loras. Action begins at 9 a.m.

IOWA CENTRAL 36, NORTH IOWA 4

125 — Jaydel Whitlock, IC dec. Luis Azevedo, 13-8; 133 — Drew Cooper, IC tech fall Alejandro Rodriguex, 20-4; 141 — Matt Roche, IC tech fall McKenley Charlus, 19-1; 149 — Gary Walker, IC dec. Cordell White, 2-0; 157 — Chance Davis, IC pinned Hansel Pompa, 1:25; 165 — Kaden King, IC dec. Emmanuel Celestin, 12-7; 174 — Lawrence Rosario, IC tech fall Jonathan Korgman, 15-0; 184 — Jessey Colas, NIACC major dec. Sam Libby, 16-6; 197 — Coen Grimm, IC dec. Macray Klohs, 4-1; HWT — Umair Ahmad, IC dec. Xander Kenworth, 4-2.