McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's wrestling team is set to begin its season on Saturday, November 8, at the Millikin Open in Decatur, Illinois. The event will take place at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center with matches starting at 9:30 a.m.

Head Coach Adam Richards enters his second year leading the program and is supported by assistant coaches Michael Triplett, Brian Roberts, Steven Robbins—each also in their second year—and newcomer Nick Dardenas. The team's roster includes 23 athletes, with 15 joining as newcomers this season.

Among returning wrestlers are junior Austin Johnston, who holds a regional ranking, as well as Jeremy Olson and Alexander Jackson. Jackson was recognized as the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Men's Wrestler of the Week on February 11, 2025. The sophomore class features Ameer Alamawi, Evan Carel (who moves up to compete at 157 pounds after finishing fourth last year at 149), Jackson Castaneda, Ash Hinman, and transfer David Roa.

A group of freshmen are expected to make their debuts for Illinois Wesleyan this season. These include Jeremiah Austin, Cameron Borneman, Trey Dunning, Can Gorgulu, Moses Kim, Dylan McGrew, Aidan Mehmedi, Elijah Moore, Brady Mouser, Daniel Muth, Silas Oberholtzer, Tate Sigler, Phoenix Wombacher and Tyson Zvonar.

Seventeen Titans will compete in the tournament across various weight classes. McGrew and Mouser will participate at 125 pounds; Zvonar at 133 pounds; Johnston returns to compete at 141 pounds after winning four matches in last year's Millikin Open; Alamawi joins Austin and Muth at 149 pounds; Carel competes alongside Borneman and Oberholtzer at 157 pounds; Castaneda and Gorgulu represent IWU at 165 pounds; Moore takes on the 174-pound class; Blanton (not previously listed among returners or newcomers), Hinman and Olson are entered at 184 pounds; while Dunning will wrestle at 197 pounds.

The university announced that final results from the Millikin Open will be posted on the men's wrestling schedule page of iwusports.com following the conclusion of competition.