No. 21 Millikin Tops CUW in Season Opener

Written by CUW Student Assistant Lance Schulteis

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Concordia Wisconsin men's wrestling team fell in its first dual meet of the season, dropping to No. 21 Millikin in the opening action of the 2023-24 campaign.

The Big Blue took the first three bouts of the dual, as Zac Blasioli picked up a 17-4 major decision, Coby Haney won by fall at 3:47, and Trey Percy collected a technical fall at 4:38 by a 16-1 margin. The three wins gave Millikin an early 15-0 advantage, which proved to set the tone for the remainder of the match.

Freshman Cole Ramos (Kenosha, Wis.) secured Concordia's first points and fall victory of the season, getting the victory at 149 pounds in the first period at 2:52. The quick six points from the three-time WIAA State Qualifier sent the Falcons a few steps up the mountain in attempting to catch up with the Big Blue.

Millikin was quick to gain the six points back, as Nathan Callaway picked up a fall of his own in the next bout. The Big Blue would build on their lead in the ensuing matches, as Joey Jens and Dejon Glaster won by major decision and technical fall, respectively.

Despite Millikin surmounting enough points to secure victory in the dual, the Falcons were able to collect victories in two of the night's final three matches. Senior Jonathan Pullen (Joliet, Ill.) won by fall in the match's final minute and fellow senior Peyton Smith (Milwaukee, Wis.) picked up the Falcons' third victory by fall at 197 in the dual's penultimate bout.

Leno Campbell tallied a victory by fall in the heavyweight match to secure a 36-18 victory for Millikin, their second in as many years against the Falcons.

Concordia will be back on the mat on Thursday, November 9, set to take on another conference foe in the Carthage Firebirds.