MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia Wisconsin wrestling team hosted CCIW opponents Illinois Wesleyan and Carthage in a pair of duals Friday night inside the R. John Buuck Field House. The Falcons battled throughout both matchups but ultimately fell in each, moving to 0-4 in duals this season.
 
Illinois Wesleyan 25, Concordia Wisconsin 23
 
The Falcons opened the evening against Illinois Wesleyan in a tightly contested dual that came down to the final bouts.
 
IWU claimed the first three weight classes, beginning with Brady Mouser earning a tech fall over freshman Elijah Torres (125). Sophomore Anastacio Martinez dropped a 133-pound decision to Tyson Zvonar, while freshman Noah Henderson was defeated by fall at 141.
 
CUW responded at 149, where freshman Ben Kaus (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) wasted no time, pinning Ameer Alamawi in just 59 seconds for the Falcons' first win of the night. At 157, freshman Tyson Skubal fell by fall to Silas Oberholtzer.
 
Freshman Hunter Burr (165) followed with a gritty performance, entering the third period tied 8-8 with Can Gorgulu. After a stalling warning against Gorgulu and a riding time point, Burr secured a key decision for CUW.
 
Senior Dawson Galvan (174) kept the momentum going, earning a dominant 10-2 major decision over Eli Moore behind three takedowns and a riding time point.
 
Illinois Wesleyan regained control at 184 as freshman Kyle Sorensen fell by tech fall to Lucas Blanton. Senior Ruben Vasquez responded with a strong major decision (14-4) at 197, aided by two penalties assessed to his opponent, Trey Dunning.
 
Senior KeiKei Evans closed the dual with a forfeit victory at 285, but the Falcons came up just short, 25-23.
 
Carthage 38, Concordia Wisconsin 18
 
Concordia Wisconsin repeated its lineup for the second dual of the evening, squaring off against Carthage.
 
Carthage opened with a decision over Elijah Torres at 125 before CUW answered at 133, where Anastacio Martinez pinned Chris Krish to tie the team score.
 
The Firebirds surged ahead by winning the next seven weight classes to extend their lead.
 
Senior Ruben Vasquez delivered another strong showing at 197, controlling his matchup against Elvis Muja before securing a takedown with 17 seconds left to pin his opponent.
 
In the final bout, senior KeiKei Evans recorded his second win of the night and second fall of the season, pinning Chris Gielow at heavyweight. However, the Falcons were unable to overcome Carthage's significant advantage.
 
CUW returns to action on Saturday at the MSOE Invite in Milwaukee. The tournament is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.