CHICAGO – The University of Chicago wrestling team jumped out to a quick lead and held onto the advantage all the way through in a 25-23 victory against Wheaton College on Saturday.
The Maroons improved to 4-9 in dual meets this season, while the Thunder fell to 3-7.
UChicago was staked to a 12-0 lead in the team scores before the first bout occurred, as Wheaton forfeited at 125 and 133 pounds. Freshman Mason Williams then made the score 15-0 after his 8-5 decision victory at 141 pounds.
Wheaton bounced back with a major decision and UChicago's forfeit at 157 pounds sliced the advantage to 15-10. The home side turned to its top two win leaders to extend the cushion. Sophomore Nick Ferraro and junior Paul Papoutsis both delivered with back-to-back technical falls. Ferraro triumphed 17-1 at 165 pounds while Papoutsis emerged with a 19-2 win at 174 pounds. The duo has combined for 44 wins.
The Thunder took the final three matches, but the visitors were not able to secure the requisite amount of bonus points to tie or take the lead. Each team finished with five match wins apiece. This marked the fifth opponent from the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) that UChicago has faced on the season.
"Everybody battled," Head Coach Leo Kocher said. "When a dual splits 5-5, it is all about bonus points on who can avoid giving them up and who can push hard to get them. Freshman Jason Lynch going up a weight class and holding his opponent to a normal decision and senior Ryan Walsh holding a nationally-ranked wrestler to a major is what clinched the meet."
UChicago 25, Wheaton 23
125 – Devan Richter (UC) won via forfeit
133 – Louis Demarco (UC) won via forfeit
141 – Mason Williams (UC) def. Eric Wales (WC), 8-5 decision
149 – William Byrd (WC) def. Luke Iida (UC), 14-6 major decision
157 – Owen Feenstra (WC) won via forfeit
165 – Nick Ferraro (UC) def. Jonavan Huggins (WC), 17-1 technical fall
174 – Paul Papoutsis (UC) def. Caleb Odell (WC), 19-2 technical fall
184 – Logan Walkup (WC) def. Jason Lynch (UC), 11-5 decision
197 – Mikey Swider (WC) def. Ryan Walsh (UC), 13-0 major decision
285 – Max Gierke (WC) def. Patrick Mulkerin (UC), Fall (3:34)
NEXT MEET:
- Saturday, February 13 – UAA Championship at UChicago, 11 AM
