ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst University men's wrestling team delivered a solid performance at the 2025 Pete Willson Wheaton Invitational, securing 14th place out of 30 competing teams.
The standout of the tournament for the Bluejays was
Rhenzo Augusto at 157 pounds, who dominated his bracket with an undefeated 5-0 record to claim first place. Augusto showcased his technical prowess, earning a tech fall victory in his opening match and winning each subsequent bout by decision, culminating in a 4-2 triumph over Darian Estevez of the University of Chicago in the finals.
Augusto began his championship run with an impressive tech fall victory over Franco Gattuso of Wheaton, securing a dominant 21-6 win in just over two minutes. In the second round, he faced Harrison Konder of North Central (IL), controlling the match from start to finish in a solid 8-1 decision. The quarterfinals saw Augusto take on Landon Church of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he once again displayed his skill, winning 9-2 to advance to the semifinals. There, he encountered a tough challenge in Demetri Teddlie from Ozarks, narrowly edging out a 5-4 decision in a hard-fought battle. In the championship match, Augusto continued his streak of disciplined, strategic wrestling, defeating Darian Estevez of the University of Chicago 4-2 to claim the title at 157 pounds. His flawless performance was a crucial highlight for Elmhurst, contributing 21.5 team points and securing the program's only individual title of the tournament.
Beyond Augusto's impressive run, David Ortiz (285) also had a strong showing, racking up three wins, including a fall and two tech falls, before being eliminated in the consolation fourth round. Diego Garcia (149) and Caleb Smith (174) each finished with 2-2 records, contributing valuable team points with major decision victories. Donovin Fields (125) and Connor Kelly (184) added to the team's score with single wins in the consolation rounds, while Mataeo Blessing (165) and Eugene Lee (197) were unable to secure victories despite their efforts.
UP NEXT
Elmhurst will open the postseason on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the CCIW Championships in Decatur, Ill. A CCIW Open Invitational wil be held on Friday, Feb. 14.
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