Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Wheaton wrestling team competed at Cornerstone University's Blithe Memorial Duals this weekend. Wheaton earned one dual match victory in its five matches in the tournament this weekend. Liberty University defeated the Thunder 33-11 in pool competition, while Grand Valley State was a 47-4 victor against the Thunder in Wheaton's other pool dual match. The Thunder defeated Muskegon Community College 33-9. Midway University (Ky.) defeated Wheaton 28-18 and Siena Heights earned a 30-20 victory against the Thunder.
Brendan Johnston was one of three Thunder winners in Wheaton's match against Liberty Johnston earned an 18-3 technical fall over Aiden Scheeringa in their match at 125-pounds.
Cale Coppess won a 5-2 decision in his match against Liberty's Garrett Good at 149-pounds.
Jacob Kraker won a 14-7 decision in his match at 174-pounds against Liberty's Syler Weber.
Johnston was the lone Wheaton wrestler to earn a win in Wheaton's dual match against Grand Valley State. Johnston won a 17-2 technical fall in his match against Preston Sokolowski at 125-pounds.
Johnston earned an 18-2 technical fall in Wheaton's win against Muskegon Community College. Johnson defeated Joe Perez in the matchup at 125-pounds. Kraker won an 11-2 major decision against Rice Robbins at 174-pounds.
Anthony Zamora (133-pounds),
Aidan Laird (141-pounds), Coppess (149-pounds), and Taggart Kazmierczak (157-pounds) won their matches by forfeit.
Johnston continued his technical fall streak in Wheaton's 28-18 loss to Midway University. Johnston won a 20-4 technical fall against Andrew Vogeler at 125-pounds. Zamora earned a fall at the 1:32 mark of his match at 133-pounds against Midway's Tyrique Simms. Coppess earned an 8-5 decision in extra time in his match against Chris Sperin at 149-pounds. Kraker won a 14-5 major decision against Midway's Michael Colligan in their matchup at 174-pounds.
In Wheaton's match against Siena Heights, Laird won a 13-6 decision against Chase Packard at 141-pounds. Coppess won a 15-0 technical fall in his match at 149-pounds against Kliever Joseph. Kraker earned a fall at the 5:54 mark of his match against Siena Heights' Jacob Orweller at 174-pounds. Johnston won his match at 125-pounds by forfeit.
The Thunder wrestling team heads to Kenosha, Wisconsin next Thursday for a pair of dual matches on the campus of Carthage College. Wheaton will face the host Firebirds of Carthage and Concordia (Wis.) in the triangular.
