Wheaton, Ill. - The Wheaton wrestling team hosted Aurora University in a CCIW dual match inside King Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Thunder and Spartans battled in a back-and-forth dual match that was decided in the final match of the day as Aurora emerged with the 24-21 victory.

The afternoon started with two victories for the Thunder. Senior Brendan Johnston won an 8-5 decision against Zane Ely of Aurora at 125-pounds to open the dual match. Fellow senior Anthony Zamora won a 16-0 technical fall at 3:43 of his matchup at 133-pounds against Aurora's Tyler Evitts. Zamora's win gave Wheaton an 8-0 lead in the dual match score. Aurora won by technical fall at 141-pounds and the Spartans picked up a major decision at 149-pounds to take a 9-8 lead in the dual match score.

Freshman Daniel Thaler won a 17-9 major decision in his match at 157-pounds against Aurora's Jeff Sorrich. Thaler led Sorrich 11-0 at the end of the first period in earning the convincing win. Thaler's win gave Wheaton a 12-9 lead in the dual match. Sophomore Garrett Boyd impressed in his match at 165-pounds against Manny Diaz as Boyd won by fall just 49-seconds into their match. Boyd's win increased Wheaton's lead to 18-9. During the match, Aurora was deducted a team point for a "team control of mat violation". The Spartans won with a major decision at 174-pounds and a fall at 184-pounds to tie the dual match at 18-18.

Senior Jackson Punzel jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one period in his match at 197-pounds against Angel Jaimes. Punzel led 7-1 after two periods and he eventually won an 11-7 decision. Punzel's victory gave Wheaton a 21-18 lead heading into the final match at 285-pounds. Aurora won the matchup at 285-pounds on a fall with just two seconds remaining in the first period to win the dual match 24-21.

Wheaton is off until January 11 when the Thunder travel to Mequon, Wisconsin for a dual match against Concordia (Wis.).