The Wabash College wrestling split its squad on Saturday, sending a group of grapplers to the non-scoring Millikin University Open. At the same time, the remainder of the team competed in a dual meet at Albion University. The Little Giants scored five top-eight finishes at Millikin and took a 25-14 loss to Albion.
Grant Brewer posted the top finish for Wabash at the Millikin Open, placing second overall in the 149-pound second bracket. Brewer won his quarterfinal bout by a 4-1 decision over Collin Oliver from Adrian, then picked up a 2-0 win against Luke Jaworski from Cornerstone. Brewer lost a tough 4-3 final in the championship bout to Colin Claffey from Millikin.
Jaylen Young earned fifth place at 174 pounds by rallying for five consecutive wins after taking a first-round loss. He scored back-to-back pins over Elijah Biggs from Mount St. Joseph and Colby Tool from Central College in his first two bouts in the consolation bracket before advancing due to an injury default. Young defeated teammate Elorm Nevis 4-2 to advance to the consolation bracket semifinal bout, earning a 17-1 tech fall over Jackson Hoskins.
Sammy Saunders placed sixth at 184 pounds, finishing with five wins on the day. He opened the tournament with a 12-7 decision over Kevin Shaw from Huntingdon. Saunders scored a pin in the consolation bracket in his match against Brady Heckathorn from Cornerstone, then picked up an 18-2 tech fall against Maddox Vernon from Kentucky Wesleyan. Saunders earned a 9-3 2 win against Tate Crowell from Millikin and added an 11-3 major decision versus Henry Williams from Campbellsville to wrap up his afternoon.
Carson Fettig earned a seventh-place finish at 149 pounds for the Little Giants. He scored two early wins with a 14-6 major decision against Cole Riedel from Adrian and a 20-2 tech fall against Cooper Ludwig from Cornell College. Fettig lost his quarterfinal match but earned an 8-6 win over teammate Anden Ankney. A loss in the consolation semi sent Fettig to the seventh-place match, where he pinned Hunter Isaacs from Thomas More 47 seconds into the second period.
Zach Wagner finished in eighth place at 184 pounds. He picked up pins against Isiah Unger from Elmhurst and Drayden McKerrow from Kentucky Wesleyan and scored a 12-1 major decision against Gave Willett from McKendree.
Wabash won three matches in its dual meet at Albion on Saturday. James Day gave the Little Giants a 5-3 lead in the team scoring with his 17-0 shutout win at 133 pounds for the Little Giants. Tim Smith cut the Albion lead to 12-9 with a 15-2 major decision in his 157-pound bout. Chase Baczek scored the final team points for Wabash with a 16-1 tech fall at 197 pounds.
Wabash hosts the University of Chicago in a dual match at Chadwick Court on Friday. The event begins by honoring the senior class members of the team at 7:30 p.m.
