CHICAGO – The University of Chicago wrestling team defeated Elmhurst College 23-14 in a home dual meet on Saturday afternoon at the Ratner Athletics Center.

UChicago improved its record in dual meets this season to 7-3, while the Bluejays dropped to 5-4.

The Maroons fell behind during an initial exchange of decisions with the visitors, but a string of victories from 165 to 184 pounds swung the match in their favor.

First-year David Traub began the day with a narrow 6-4 win at 125 pounds before two Elmhurst victories put the Bluejays up 7-3. Fellow first-year Cole Riemer got off to a strong start at 149 pounds, having built a 12-3 lead before his opponent was forced to retire due to injury.

The Bluejays snagged another at 157 pounds to jump back in front 10-9, but junior Kahlan-Lee Lermer and first-year Ben Sarasin picked up convincing wins at 165 and 174 pounds to put the Maroons up 15-10.

In a pivotal match at 184 pounds, junior Kyle Peisker took control after a closely-fought opening stretch that saw him trailing 4-3 early in the second period. Peisker battled back into a 6-4 lead before breaking out in the third for a 14-6 major decision that put UChicago up nine points with two matches remaining.

Elmhurst claimed a major decision at 197 pounds in response, but Maroon senior Patrick Mulkerin finished things off with a dominant 13-2 performance in the heavyweight contest.

"To be honest, I was not sure we were going to pull this out going into the meet," said Head Coach Leo Kocher. "They were 5-3 in duals, but their lineup is much stronger than it was at the beginning of the season. On paper, it looked like a 5-5 split and that it would come down to the bonus points for the win. Freshman David Traub started us off with a crucial win at 125 and that put us in a pretty good position. Kyle Peisker again went up a weight class from his usual 174 against one of Elmhurst's best and ended up dominating. The other four wins we kind of expected. It was a pretty good team effort."

UChicago 23, Elmhurst 14
125 –  David Traub (UC) def. Giovanni Chaparro (ELM), 6-4 decision
133 –  Zach McCullough (ELM) def. Louis DeMarco (UC), 11-2 major decision
141 – Jimmy McAuliffe (ELM) def. Alec Gleason (UC), 11-4 decision
149 – Cole Riemer (UC) def. Caleb Ramos (ELM), medical forfeit (2nd period)
157 – Keone Derain (ELM) def. Jason Crary (UC), 6-1 decision
165 – Kahlan Lee-Lermer (UC) def. Howie Olson (ELM), 5-0 decision
174 – Ben Sarasin (UC) def. Nevin Brittain (ELM), 11-4 decision
184 – Kyle Peisker (UC) def. Mark Miller (ELM), 14-6 major decision
197 – Dominic Gallo (ELM) def. Caleb Jeffreys (UC), 9-1 major decision
285 – Patrick Mulkerin (UC) def. Zach Dixon (ELM), 13-2 major decision

NEXT MEET:

• Friday-Saturday, Jan. 25-26 @ 11:00 AM / 10:00 AM – UChicago at Wheaton College Pete Willson Invitational