ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College wrestling team, ranked 14th in the latest NWCA poll, opened the 2011-12 season by toppling Loras College 35-9.

Elmhurst (1-0) won seven of the eight matches to come away with the 26-point victory. Both teams forfeited one weight class. Elmhurst's Brian Brooks received a forfeit at 285 pounds while Loras' Brian Cullen earned a forfeit at 133 pounds.

Transfer Mark Johnson made his Elmhurst debut by edging Pat Pfantz 9-7 at 125 pounds. Brad Gapinski followed with a 10-7 victory over Sean Raddatz at 141 pounds to give Elmhurst a 12-6 lead.

The Bluejays' Ryan Earley needed just 4:12 to pin Joe Wood at 141 pounds, putting Elmhurst up 18-6 in the process. Loras (0-1) won its only match at 157 pounds when Chris Gansen got a take down and near fall points in overtime to edge Elmhurst's Mike Grice.

Yousef Al-Ghoul gave Elmhurst a 21-9 lead with a 16-9 win over Tom Gross at 165 pounds. The Bluejays' Danny Balderas followed with a 12-4 major decision over Mitch Gansen to put the Bluejays on top 25-9.

Ranked third in the nation to start the year, returning All-American Joe Rau started his season on a high note, needing just 2:54 to pin Josh Porter at 184 pounds. Danny Vargas closed out the dual for Elmhurst with a 12-2 major decision over Loras' Ryan Ward at 197 pounds.

The Bluejays will wrestle at the Concordia University (Wis.) Open on Saturday, November 19.


Elmhurst 35, Loras 9
125 – Mark Johnson (EC) def. Pat Pfantz 9-7
133 – Brian Cullen (LC) received forfeit
141 – Brad Gapinski (EC) def. Sean Raddatz 10-7
149 – Ryan Earley (EC) pinned Chris Reed in 4:12
157 – Chris Gansen (LC) def. Mike Grice 6-2 (OT)
165- Yousef Al-Ghoul (EC) def. Tom Gross 16-9
174 – Danny Balderas (EC) def. Mitch Gansen12-4 Major
184 – Joe Rau (EC) pinned Josh Porter in 2:54
197 – Danny Vargas (EC) def. Ryan Ward 12-2 Major
285 – Brian Brooks (EC) received forfeit