DECATUR, Ill. - The Elmhurst University men's wrestling team competed in the 2025 CCIW Championship on Saturday (Feb. 15), taking 7th place as a team and claiming a pair of All-CCIW individual performances.
Rhenzo Augusto shined at the CCIW Championships, leading the Elmhurst wrestling team with a dominant performance to claim the 157-pound title. With an undefeated 3-0 record, Augusto showcased his talent by securing a fall, a tech fall, and a shutout decision to win the championship. His efforts not only earned him All-CCIW honors but also the distinction of First Year Student-Athlete of the Year, a testament to his immediate impact in his debut season.
Elmhurst had several other wrestlers reach the podium. At 125 pounds, Donovin Fields battled his way to a second-place finish, scoring 14.0 team points with a fall in the quarterfinals and a decision in the semifinals before falling in the title match. Diego Garcia placed fifth at 149 pounds, working through the consolation bracket and securing a sudden victory in his final match to finish with 7.5 team points. Mataeo Blessing finished sixth at 165 pounds, advancing through the tournament with a win by disqualification and earning 7.0 team points. Caleb Smith also claimed sixth place at 174 pounds, picking up two wins by fall before dropping a close sudden victory bout in the fifth-place match, finishing with 9.5 team points.
Augusto's championship performance was the highlight of the tournament for Elmhurst. He began with a quick pin in the quarterfinals, followed by an impressive 17-2 tech fall in the semifinals. In the championship match, he controlled the bout from start to finish, securing a 6-0 decision victory and proving himself as one of the top wrestlers in the conference. Augusto is currently 30-2 overall this season, and is riding a 21-match win streak heading into NCAA Regionals in two weekends.
UP NEXT
The Bluejays head to the NCAA Region 5 Regional Tournament from Feb. 28-March 1.
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