WHEATON, Ill. – In a dual meet that came down to the evening's last match, the University of Chicago wrestling team suffered a 25-21 loss to Wheaton College on Friday.

The Maroons dropped to 4-2 on the season while the Thunder improved to 5-3.

UChicago opened up a 21-6 lead through the first five matches. After a forfeit at 125 pounds, the Maroons took the next four matches, which included two forfeits. At 133 pounds, junior Devan Richter made his season debut and picked up a third-period pin. Freshman Steve Bonsall followed up later with a 10-8 decision at 157 pounds.

But from that point on, Wheaton took over and swept the final five matches. Three decisions and one major decision pulled the Thunder to within two team points (21-19) heading into the night's final match. The heavyweight bout went to Wheaton with a first-period fall.

"Wheaton won five of seven matches contested and deserved the win," said Head Coach Leo Kocher. "We moved Devan Richter up a weight class because we thought he could score some important points and he got the fall for us. Devan has been injured since November 3 and it was a good performance for his first match of the year. John Jayne gave a returning All-American a good match. We have a match against a tough Elmhurst [College] team tomorrow and then we go back to work in practice."

Wheaton 25, UChicago 21
125 – Carlos Fuentez (Wheaton) won via forfeit
133 – Devan Richter (UC) def. Josiah Fitzjerrells, Fall (6:38)
141 – Grant Morrison (UC) won via forfeit
149 – Kahlan Lee-Lermer (UC) won via forfeit
157 – Steve Bonsall (UC) def. Frank Aiello (Wheaton), 10-8 decision
165 – Stephen Aiello (Wheaton) def. Michael Sepke (UC), 3-1 decision
174 – Logan Walkup (Wheaton) def. Nicholas DiNapoli (UC), 11-3 major decision
184 – Jared Fekete (Wheaton) def. Jason Lynch (UC), 6-1 decision
197 – Mikey Swider (Wheaton) def. John Jayne (UC), 2-0 decision
285 – Max Gierke (Wheaton) def. Patrick Mulkerin (UC), Fall (2:13)

NEXT MEET:

• Saturday, Jan. 21 @ 12:00 PM – Elmhurst College at UChicago