ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst University wrestling team opened the 2023-24 season in thrilling fashion, coming from behind to down Augustana College (IL) 26-22 Thursday evening inside R.A. Faganel Hall.

Elmhurst (1-0, 1-0 CCIW), down 9-23 heading into the final three matches, were able to pull out the victory thanks to a pair of pins and a technical fall to take their season opener.

The Bluejays began the dual with thre-straight decision victories from Donovin Fields, Jake Mora, and Troy Mock before the Vikings came alive with four-straight match victories, including three falls and a technical fall, to take a convincing 9-23 lead heading into the final three matches.

Euegene Lee began the comeback effort with a convincing fall to cut the deficit to 15-23, and Norbert Crecan continued to build the Bluejay momentum with a fall of his own, leaving the dual meet up to the heavyweight match with a 21-22 deficit for the hosts after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty removed a team point from the Vikings.

David Ortiz was able to control the final match of the dual, winning via technical fall 15-0 to secure the Bluejays' season-opening victory.

FULL RESULTS

125: Donovin Fields (ELM) over Jack Reina (AC) (Dec 8-2) (3-0)
133: Jake Mora (ELM) over Sam Deyro (AC) (Dec 9-6) (6-0)
141: Troy Mock (ELM) over Colin Roque (AC) (Dec 13-9) (9-0)
149: Michael Macias (AC) over Zach Kolb (ELM) (TF 17-1 6:59) (9-5)  
157: Kameron Hanel (AC) over Mataeo Blessing (ELM) (Fall 6:30) (9-11)
165: Jack Miller (AC) over Jeff Nugent (ELM) (Fall 6:41) (9-17)
174: AJ Joyner (AC) over Joe Caringella (ELM) (Fall 3:47) (9-23)
184: Eugene Lee (ELM) over Braiden Young (AC) (Fall 4:21) (15-23)
197: Norbert Crecan (ELM) over Jacob Badger (AC) (Fall 2:46) (21-23)
285: David Ortiz (ELM) over Anthony Joyner (AC) (TF 15-0 7:00) (26-23) (AC USC 197 -1.0) (26-22) 

UP NEXT

The Bluejays will head to Decatur, Ill. this Saturday, Nov. 11, for the Millikin Open beginning at 9:00 a.m. CT.

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