McLean County Times

Facing a challenging opponent, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's wrestling team competed against North Central College, ranked sixth nationally. The dual took place on Tuesday night at Merner Fieldhouse in Naperville, Illinois. North Central secured a decisive 55-0 victory over the Titans.

The meet began with sophomore Austin Johnston from Normal, Illinois, competing in the 141-pound match. Despite being down 10-2 entering the third period, Johnston managed a two-point reversal but ultimately lost by a 14-4 major decision.

In the 165-pound match, freshman Jackson Castaneda from Oak Forest, Illinois, scored a three-point takedown during the opening period, giving Illinois Wesleyan its first lead of the evening at 4-3. However, North Central's Nolan Flores reversed this advantage to take a 5-4 lead into the second period and extended it to 9-5 before the final period. Castaneda reduced the deficit to three points with an escape move but eventually fell short with a score of 12-7.

Illinois Wesleyan is set to return to Naperville on Saturday, December 14th for the 60th annual North Central College Invitational at the Residential Recreational Center.