Falcons Complete Comeback Over Wheaton

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia wrestling team collected its second dual victory of the season on Thursday night in its first home meet, topping the Wheaton Thunder 25-21 to cap off an 18-point comeback.

At 125 pounds, junior Devin Gore (Plymouth, Wis.) earned a third-period escape to even the score at one to force overtime. In the extra period, it was Brendan Johnson who struck first, securing three points for the Thunder.

Wheaton snagged the next three matches to take an 18-0 lead after the opening four bouts. Cooper Chapman and Cale Coppess notched fall victories, while Aidan Laird collected a decision.

Freshman Cole Ramos (Kenosha, Wis.) clinched Concordia's first win in the dual at 157 pounds, converting a head throw into a six-point fall just 26 seconds into the match.

Senior Carson Cook (Las Vegas, Nev.) continued the Falcons' threat in the following contest, picking up a technical fall in the third period to bring the score to 18-11.

Junior Jeremy Pullen (Joliet, Ill.) brought the Falcons within striking distance at 174 pounds, taking the match by an 8-4 decision. Senior Jonathan Pullen (Joliet, Ill.) capped off the win streak for Concordia, as a first-period technical fall completed the comeback. The victory granted the Falcons their first lead of the evening, 19-18.

The Thunder regained the lead in the dual's penultimate match, as a 9-4 decision in favor of Jackson Punzel pushed Wheaton two points ahead.

The score set up Concordia's third consecutive winner-take-it-all heavyweight bout, and Senior Cam Mercer (Glenview, Ill.) clinched the victory for the Falcons with a fall at 1:30.

Concordia will look to start a winning streak in its next action, competing in the CCIW Duals against the 5-4 Aurora Spartans and 10-6 Augustana Vikings in Wheaton, Illinois.