ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst University men's wrestling team took down Wheaton College by a score of 38-12 to take their first dual and CCIW win of the 2024-25 campaign Thursday (Nov. 7) evening inside R.A. Faganel Hall. Elmhurst tallied four major decisions, two technical falls, one fall and one forfeiture win in their home-opening dual.

Elmhurst improved to 1-1 in dual matches, with the same record in the CCIW, while Wheaton fell to 0-1 overall and in conference with the season-opening loss for the Thunder.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Donovin Fields opened the dual meet with a dominating 16-1 technical fall victory, scoring one take down in each of the first two periods and a two-point near fall to lead 9-0 into the third. There, he would add the riding time point along with a pair of takedowns to take the opening match of the dual and put Elmhurst up, 5-0. A forfeiture at 133 by Wheaton extended the team lead to 11-0 in favor of Elmhurst.

After Zach Carter fell via fall at 141, the Thunder cut into the Bluejay lead with the score standing at 11-6. At 149, Diego Garcia would use three takedowns in the first period and another two in the following periods to take a 16-5 major decision victory, while Rhenzo Augusto took only two periods to win via technical fall to extend Elmhurst's lead to 20-6. Mataeo Blessing would lead by three following his first period of wrestling at 165, and would score a seven-point takedown/near fall to extend his lead, ending in a major decision, while Caleb Smith would medically forefit his match at 174, moving the team score to 24-12. After going down 10-6 heading into the second period and narrowly avoiding being pinned in the second period, Connor Kelly countered and put his opponent on their back to take the win at 184 via pin at 5:26, securing the team win for Elmhurst with the score standing at 30-12. Colin O'Neill and David Ortiz would both go on to win their matches via major decision at 197 and 285, respectivley, handing Elmhurst a 38-12 home-opening victory.

UP NEXT

The Bluejays return to the mat this Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Millikin Open in Decatur, Ill. Elmhurst returns to dual action on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Augustana College, and is back inside R.A. Faganel Hall on Dec. 5 to take on Carthage. 

FULL RESULTS

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