Wrestling Edged by Elmhurst

ELMHURST, Ill. – The Concordia Wisconsin wrestling team lost a close dual meet to the Elmhurst Bluejays on Thursday night, taking a 24-23 loss in what was the closest dual of the season for both squads.

Elmhurst opened the evening with six points in hand as Donovin Fields won by forfeit at 125 pounds. Senior Emilio Acosta (El Paso, Texas) brought the pendulum right back to even at 133 pounds, knotting the score at six for the Falcons after a medical forfeit.

Troy Mock topped sophomore Frank Budederi (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) at 141 pounds, winning by fall in a tightly-contested match that saw a 12-11 margin following the opening period. After an early escape by Budederi to double his lead, Mock secured a takedown and didn't relinquish the advantage, winning in 4:25 to put the Bluejays ahead by a 12-6 score.

Freshman Cole Ramos (Kenosha, Wis.) answered for the Falcons at 149 pounds, picking up a major decision to trim the lead. The 12-3 victory saw Ramos secure 2:46 in riding time, the highest for Concordia on the evening.

Falcons' senior Carson Cook (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Mataeo Blessing needed over the allotted seven minutes to settle the match at 157 pounds, squared at 2-2 after three periods. Blessing secured the takedown in sudden victory to pick up the points for the Bluejays, pushing the dual score to 15-10.

Jeff Nugent defeated junior Jeremy Pullen (Joliet, Ill.) by fall at 165 pounds in the following match, granting Elmhurst an 11-point advantage.

Joe Caringella notched a victory at 174 pounds for the Bluejays, pushing the lead to 24-10. However, sophomore Ruben Vasquez (Westminster, Calif.) still deducted points from Elmhurst's side of the scoreboard, picking up a late takedown to remove the "major" title from the decision.

Senior Jonathan Pullen (Joliet, Ill.) won a close contest at 174 pounds, picking up a 1-0 victory. After starting from the bottom in the third frame, Pullen notched an early escape point that would prove to be the difference in the match.

The bout at 197 pounds also went Concordia's way, as senior Peyton Smith (Milwaukee, Wis.) collected a major decision by an 11-2 score.

Sophomore Seth Elliott (Long Beach, Calif.) took a thrilling victory at 285 points for the Falcons, winning by fall in the final contest of the evening. After David Ortiz built a sizable 8-0 lead, Elliott flipped the switch of the match, landing a quick takedown before securing the fall victory as time expired in the second period.

Ultimately, Elmhurst emerged from the night with the team victory in a slim 24-23 contest.

Ramos and Smith both led the Falcons with three takedowns in the effort, while Budederi led the team with four near-fall points.

The Falcons will have a week off before returning to the mat on Saturday, December 16 at the Gator Boot Duals in Nashville, Tennessee.