Central College Sports Update - 2-21-26

Belzer leads women's wrestling team, baseball offense explodes in Texas

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Esther Belzer of the Central College women's wrestling team advanced to the second day of the NCAA Women's Wrestling Region V Championships, while the Central College baseball team opened a weekend series against Hardin-Simmons with a 10-9 victory, led by a big game from Dom DeLaPaz.

Why it matters

This update highlights the success of Central College's athletic programs, particularly the women's wrestling team and the baseball team, as they compete against regional and national competition. The performance of these student-athletes reflects well on the college's sports programs and their ability to develop talented competitors.

The details

In women's wrestling, Esther Belzer won her opening match at 138 pounds and bounced back from a loss with a pin to advance to the second day of the regional championships. Dakota Cornell also earned an individual win for Central. Four other Central wrestlers competed in their first NCAA regional action but went 0-2. In baseball, Central's offense exploded for 12 hits and 10 runs in the series opener against Hardin-Simmons, with Dom DeLaPaz going 4-5 with two home runs, two doubles, and five RBIs, including the game-winning two-RBI double in the top of the ninth inning. Pitcher Mark Kenney started the game, and Turner Williams earned the win in relief, while Caleb Stewart recorded the save.

  • On Friday, Esther Belzer won her opening match and advanced to the second day of the NCAA Women's Wrestling Region V Championships.
  • On Friday, the Central College baseball team opened a three-game series against Hardin-Simmons with a 10-9 victory.
  • The Central College baseball team will play a doubleheader against Hardin-Simmons today, with the first game starting at noon.

The players

Esther Belzer

A wrestler on the Central College women's wrestling team who advanced to the second day of the NCAA Women's Wrestling Region V Championships.

Dakota Cornell

A wrestler on the Central College women's wrestling team who earned an individual win in the regional championships.

Dom DeLaPaz

A player on the Central College baseball team who had a big game against Hardin-Simmons, going 4-5 with two home runs, two doubles, and five RBIs, including the game-winning two-RBI double in the top of the ninth inning.

Mark Kenney

The starting pitcher for the Central College baseball team in the game against Hardin-Simmons.

Turner Williams

The relief pitcher for the Central College baseball team who earned the win in the game against Hardin-Simmons.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Belzer won her opening match at 138 pounds against Julia Chambers of Quincy University (Ill.) in a 9-7 decision. After losing by technical fall against the No. 2 seed from Augustana (Ill.), she bounced back by pinning her opponent of Carthage College (Wis.) at the 2:04 mark.”

— Tyler Crabb, Author (kniakrls.com)

“Central's offense was a force to be reckoned with, putting up 12 hits and 10 runs in the game, two of which came in the top of the ninth to give them a one run lead that ultimately led to the victory.”

— Tyler Crabb, Author (kniakrls.com)

What’s next

The Central College baseball team will play a doubleheader against Hardin-Simmons today, with the first game starting at noon.

The takeaway

Central College's athletic programs continue to showcase their competitiveness, with the women's wrestling team and baseball team both achieving notable successes against regional and national competition. These results demonstrate the strength of the college's sports programs and their ability to develop talented student-athletes.