Smith Advances to the Pete Willson Invite Semifinals

WHEATON, Ill. - The Concordia University Wisconsin wrestling team sent six athletes to compete in the 83rd annual Pete Willson Invite, where they earned 15 points after the first day of action. UW-Eau Claire leads the field with 97 points.

Senior Peyton Smith was the standout performer for the Falcons, finishing the day with 13 points and an undefeated 3-0 record, advancing to the semifinals set for Saturday, February 1st.

Smith dominated in his opening round, pinning Nebraska Wesleyan's Donovan Mann at the 2:05 mark after establishing a commanding 17-3 lead.

In the next round, Smith secured a 5-1 decision victory over Caleb Burkhart of Wilkes University, advancing to the quarterfinals. He then advanced to the semifinals with another pin, this time over Ozarks' Philip Sanez at 3:41. Smith's season record now stands at a strong 12-5, and he will face Josh Woodey of Augustana at 11 a.m. for a shot at the championship.

Junior Ruben Vasquez (Westminster, Calif.) posted a 2-2 record on the day. After a tough loss by technical fall in the opening round of the 197-pound bracket, Vasquez bounced back into the consolation bracket. He earned a 7-3 decision victory over Jadaan Anderson of Ozarks and followed it up with a dominant 16-5 major decision win over Casey Kinell of Nebraska Wesleyan.

In the 133-pound bracket, freshman Anastacio Martinez (Albuquerque, N.M.) fell by fall in the opening round of the championship bracket, which sent him to the consolation bracket. After receiving a bye, Martinez battled hard but was ultimately eliminated by a technical fall in the second round.

Sophomore Mason Markham (Elkhorn, Wis.) competed in the 149-pound division but was eliminated after falling by fall in both of his first two matchups.

Senior TJ Mackey (Joliet, Ill.) received a first-round bye in the 174-pound bracket but suffered defeats by technical fall and fall in the second and third rounds, respectively.

Junior Dawson Galvan (Chula Vista, Calif.) represented the Falcons in the 184-pound division but fell 8-16 by major decision in the opening round of the championship bracket.

Smith remains the only Falcon alive in the tournament, as he will represent CUW in the semifinals with a chance to take home the heavyweight title.