CHICAGO – The University of Chicago wrestling team rallied hard from an early deficit but couldn't quite finish off the comeback in a 20-18 dual meet loss to Albion College on Wednesday evening.

In the first dual meet of the season for both teams, the Britons broke out with aggressiveness early and rode that momentum to capture the opening three matches. Facing an 11-0 team score deficit, the Maroons found their footing starting at 149 pounds and won four-straight bouts.

First-year Brendan Connolly submitted a dominant performance at 149 pounds and nearly got the technical fall before ultimately prevailing 16-4. His senior teammate Ryan Fleck did secure the technical fall, however. Fleck proved unstoppable in the 157-pound match, ending it late in the second period with an unblemished 17-0 shellacking. Darian Estevez was next up on the mat, and the sophomore posted an 8-6 decision at 165 pounds. Sophomore Tyler Joseph pulled away late to claim a 6-2 win at 174 pounds, and just like that, UChicago was ahead 15-11.

The swing match came at 184 pounds, where Albion pulled off a sudden pin in final moments of the first period. The Britons then increased the advantage with a decision at 197 pounds. In the night's final contest, senior Cole Fibranz won at heavyweight by a 5-2 score. However, Albion's cushion in the team score ended things in the visitors' favor at 20-18.

"We split an even five and five on the matches, and it shows just how important it is to not give away big points," Head Coach Leo Kocher said. "Looking forward, we did some good things tonight, but I'm convinced we will get much better."

Albion 20, UChicago 18
125 – Benyamin Kamali (ALB) def. Matt Perez (UC), 19-4 technical fall (3:21)
133 – Austin Matheney (ALB) def. Griffin Seyfried (UC), 7-5 decision
141 – Aidan Bernard (ALB) def. Vincent Menozzi (UC), 11-5 decision
149 – Brendan Connolly (UC) def. Logan Haughton (ALB), 16-4 major decision
157 – Ryan Fleck (UC) def. James Buurma (ALB), 17-0 technical fall (4:46)
165 – Darian Estevez (UC) def. Tanner Beach (ALB), 8-6 decision
174 – Tyler Joseph (UC) def. Jack Smith (ALB), 6-2 decision
184 – Owen McDaniel (ALB) def. Wyatt Haynes (UC), Fall (2:45)
197 – Bode Brown (ALB) def. Cade Creighton (UC), 7-3 decision
285 – Cole Fibranz (UC) def. CJ Krum (ALB), 5-2 decision

NEXT MEETS:

• Saturday, Nov. 12 @ 9:00 AM – UChicago at Trine Tournament / UChicago at Millikin Tournament