Wrestling Competed in the CCIW Championships

WHEATON, Ill. – The CUW wrestling team traveled to Wheaton on Thursday to take part in the CCIW Wrestling Championships. The CCIW conference was able to place three teams in the NWCA (National Wrestling Coaches Association) rankings with North Central being ranked second, Elmhurst being ranked 17th, and Millikin being ranked 20th.

In the 133-pound weight class, junior Gabe Rodriguez (Las Vegas, Nev.) was beaten by a 3-21 tech fall in 4:59. In the consolation bracket, he won his first matchup after two takedowns and an eventual fall at 3:38. He was defeated in his next matchup by another tech fall and was sent to the fifth-place matchup. In the fifth-place matchup, Rodriguez recorded a takedown as well as two escapes to post four points but was defeated by a fall at 4:18. He finished with 6.5 total team points.

Senior Austin Vincent (Stockton, Ill.) competed in the 141-pound division. Vincent was given a bye in the first round but was defeated by a 2:21 fall in his first bout. In the consolation bracket, he won his first dual with seven total takedowns as well as a four-point near fall to end with a 19-4 tech fall at 6:53. He was defeated in the next round with a 5-7 decision. 

Vincent recorded two team points for the Falcons.

Junior Jack O'Donnell (Huntington Beach, Calif.) competed in the 157-pound class. His first matchup was a point-getter with a 22-8 major decision after eight takedowns, one escape, a four-point near fall, and a point for riding time. O'Donnell scored 15 of his 22 points in the third period. In the second round, O'Donnell was defeated by a 4:36 fall and moved to the consolation bracket. In his first round of the consolation bracket, O'Donnell started with a takedown that would eventually lead to a fall 44 seconds later. O'Donnell moved on to the third-place matchup. In this matchup, O'Donnell was able to record seven takedowns, one escape, and a riding time point to take the 16-7, major decision victory. This finished garnered 14.5 total team points.

In the 165-pound weight class, junior Quinn Hoopman (Cedar Grove, Wis.) was defeated in the first round of championships with a 3-5 decision. His first consolation matchup ended in a 4-11 decision defeat. He was placed in the fifth-place matchup and came out with a 7-2 decision victory after two takedowns to claim fifth place and 6.0 team points.

Junior Carson Cook (Las Vegas, Nev.) competed in the 174-pound weight class. In his first matchup, Cook recorded a 16-3 major decision win with six takedowns, three of which were in the third period. He was defeated by a 44-second fall in the semifinals and sent to the consolation bracket. He was then defeated by a 6-9 decision in the first round of consolation. 

He ended the afternoon with 7.0 total team points.

Sophomore Peyton Smith (Milwaukee, Wis.) was the third of four Falcons to record double-digit team points. In the 184-pound weight class, Smith won his first matchup with a 2:06 fall. He ended up taking a 0-7 decision defeat in the next round and moved into the consolation bracket. In the consolation bracket, Smith was able to notch a 4:19 fall victory but was defeated by a 1:35 fall in the third-place bout. Smith posted 12.5 team points which were good enough for third on the squad.

Cam Mercer (Glenview, Wis.) battled the 197 pounders. He was defeated by a 0-19 tech fall in his first bout. In the consolation bracket, Mercer was able to make it to the third-place matchup with two falls, one at 27 seconds and one at 3:55. 

In the third-place bout, Mercer was defeated by a 2:30 fall and took fourth. He was the fourth Falcon to record double-digit points with 12.0.

In the 285-pound weight class, junior Jerrell Carey (Chicago, Ill.) was defeated by a 6-11 decision. In the consolation bracket, Carey started with a 7-2 decision victory after two takedowns and two penalty points. In his next bout, Carey was defeated by a 3:21 fall. He was moved into the fifth-place matchup. Carey was able to pull off the 4-1 victory with one takedown, one escape, and a penalty point. He placed fifth in the tournament and brought in 6.5 team points.

The Falcons finished in fifth place with a total of 80.0 team points. Millikin edged out North Central for the title with 1577.5 team points and four first-place finishers.

The Falcons turn their attention toward the NCAA Division II Upper Midwest Regionals on Feb. 25th in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.