Wrestling begins its season with three placers at Millikin Open

DECATUR, Ill. -- Concordia Wisconsin's Wrestling program began the 2019-20 season on Saturday and Marco Padilla led the way with a fourth-place finish; while Josh Te Stroete and Merrick O'Donnell took fifth place inside the Griswold Sports Center.

THE BASICS
Location: Griswold Sports Center (Decatur, Ill.)
Falcon Individuals: Marco Padilla (4th, 125 lbs., 4-2), Gabe Rodriguez (133 lbs., 1-2), Val Kochiu (141 lbs., 3-1), Ramiro Vasquez (149 lbs., 1-2), Bryce Karban (158 lbs., 1-2), Josh Te Stroete (5th, 165 lbs., 3-2), Alex Montbriand (174 lbs., 1-2), Alexandros Alexiades (174 lbs., 0-2), Charles Hindley (174 lbs., 0-2), Cameron Caldwell (174 lbs., 0-2), Merrick O'Donnell (5th, 184 lbs., 4-2), Aaron Collins (184 lbs., 1-2), Noah Hardy (184 lbs., 0-2), Nick Spreitzer (197 lbs., 0-2)

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Padilla (sophomore, Elmwood Park, Ill.) began his day with a close 4-3 decision win before dropping an 11-2 major decision to send him to the consolation bracket. He then responded with three victories in a row; 12-3 major decision, 5-3 decision and a 14-5 major decision to get into the third-place match. The 125-pounder was pinned to take fourth place in the first tournament of the season.
- Freshman Josh Te Stroete (Cedar Grove, Wis.) took fifth place in his first career collegiate tournament. He began his day with a 9-1 major decision win before losing 6-0 to move him to the consolation bracket.
- Junior Merrick O'Donnell (Huntington Beach, Calif.) had a strong showing with a fifth-place finish at 184 pounds going 4-2 on the day. His day began by advancing via a forfeit, but later earned back-to-back falls in 1:51 and 0:47. O'Donnell's day ended with a victory after his opponent medically forfeited to take fifth place.
- Freshman Val Kochiu (Oak Creek, Wis.) wrapped up his day with three-straight wins in the 141-pound bracket; which included a fall in 1:33 and consecutive decision victories (3-2, 4-0).
- Senior Ramiro Vasquez (Yuma, Ariz.) picked up a win by fall in 5:48 during his opening match of the day at 149 pounds. Freshman Bryce Karban (Coleman, Wis.) had an 8-2 decision win at 157 pounds.
- Senior Alex Montbriand (Barlett, Ill.) recorded a 16-0 technical fall victory at 174 pounds. Freshman Aaron Collins (Fort Wayne, Ind.) tallied a win by fall in 2:54 at 184 pounds.
- Concordia Wisconsin finished in sixth as a team with 178 pounds, while Wabash took first with 805 points.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin hosts Triton in a dual on November 22 at 6 pm inside the R. John Buuck Field House.