Wabash and the University of Chicago came into Wednesday night's wrestling match ranked 28th and 27th, respectively, in the latest Brute/Adidas NWCA Division III team rankings. The rankings held true as Chicago came away with a 25-17 victory over the Little Giants at Chadwick Court.
Wabash jumped out to an early lead with a a decisive 16-5 victory by sophomore Garrett Pino (Indianapolis, IN/Lawrence North) at 133 pounds. But the Maroons captured victories in the next four matches before senior Chris Healy (Jasper, IN/Jasper) snapped the streak. The 174-pounder, rated sixth in the Brute/Adidas NWCA individual rankings, grabbed his 120th career victory with a pin 5:20 into the match over Phil Kruzel.
Freshman Garrett Thiel (Lowell, IN/Lowell) battled to a 5-3 win at 197 pounds to bring the Little Giants to within six points. But a loss at heavyweight could not be overcome, despite a 10-2 win by senior Phu Hong (Indianapolis, IN/Lawrence Central) in the final match of the bout at 125 pounds.
Wabash will host the 45th annual Little State Wrestling Tournament Friday and Saturday, December 3-4. The action Friday begins at noon. The semifinals begin Saturday at nine a.m.
Chicago 25, Wabash 17
125 - Phu Hong (W) defeated Ai Nguyen (C) 10-2
133 - Garrett Pino (W) defeated Brandon Tillman (C) 16-5
141 - Andrew Bribriesco (C) defeated Eric Slabaugh (W) 14-4
149 - Jason Besse (C) defeated Drew McCoy (W) 11-5
157 - Nick Hoyt (C) defeated Adam Miller (W) by technical fall at 4:30
165 - Mike Bishof (C) defeated Kevin Meyer (W) 9-0
174 - Chris Healy (W) pinned Phil Druzel (C) at 5:20
184 - Ben Barnes (C) defeated Will Clarke (W) 6-5
197 - Garrett Thiel (W) defeated Drew Marriott (C) 5-3
285 - Sean Barnes (C) pinned Brian Rooksberry (W) at :34