CHICAGO – The University of Chicago wrestling team got a big boost from its middle weights and pulled out close matches to knock off nationally-ranked Augustana College 21-18 on Friday night.
The Maroons improved its dual meet record to 5-3 while the No. 25-ranked Vikings fell to 8-6.
A forfeit at 125 pounds and a decision victory at 133 pounds put visiting Augustana ahead 9-0 right away. But the next six matches all went UChicago's way to change the entire complexion of the meet. Freshman Grant Morrison kept his hot streak rolling with a 12-6 decision at 141 pounds. Freshman Kahlan Lee-Lermer had a rematch from last weekend's Wheaton College Pete Willson Invitational, and the 149-pound Lee-Lermer delivered again with a narrow 5-4 win. Freshman Steve Bonsall put his squad ahead for good with a dominating 19-1 technical fall at 157 pounds.
With an 11-9 lead in hand, UChicago scored 10 more team points with a trio of wins at 165, 174 and 184 pounds. Freshman Kyle Peisker secured a 14-5 major decision and was followed by senior Paul Papoutsis, who scored an 8-2 decision. Sophomore Jason Lynch delivered a clutch victory of his own with a 5-4 comeback at 184.
The Vikings took the last two matches, but were not able to score the requisite points to catch the Maroons.
"Before the meet, it did not look very good for our guys," said Head Coach Leo Kocher. "Augustana came in here receiving a forfeit from us at 125 and also had two people that won the very tough Wheaton Invitational last weekend in their lineup. Jason Lynch knocking one of them off was critical. Some of our middle six weight classes really had to battle to get this win. Four freshmen came through and Paul looked pretty good for this being only his second time on the mat this season."
UChicago 21, Augustana 18
125 – Trenton Jackson (AUG) won via forfeit
133 – Brendan Gould (AUG) def. Elliot Henderson (UC), 8-5 decision
141 – Grant Morrison (UC) def. Freddy Terranova (AUG), 12-6 decision
149 – Kahlan Lee-Lermer (UC) def. Matt Sears (AUG), 5-4 decision
157 – Steve Bonsall (UC) def. Josh Bush (AUG), 19-1 tech fall (6:15)
165 – Kyle Peisker (UC) def. Trace Timmons (AUG), 14-5 major decision
174 – Paul Papoutsis (UC) def. Nick Torres (AUG), 8-2 decision
184 – Jason Lynch (UC) def. Christos Giatras (AUG), 5-4 decision
197 – Ethan Benoit (AUG) def. John Jayne (UC), 3-1 decision (SV1)
285 – Adarios Jones (AUG) def. Patrick Mulkerin (UC), Fall (3:09)
NEXT MEET:
- Sunday, Feb. 12 @ 11:00 AM (ET) – UChicago at UAA Championship (New York, N.Y.)
