MEQUON — The Carthage College men's wrestling team continued its strong start to the season on Thursday night, securing a 34 - 18 victory over Concordia (Wis.) in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) dual. The win also extends the Firebirds' series advantage, as Carthage is now 3-0 against CUW in dual meets since the 2023-24 season.
The Firebirds took control in the middle weights, winning six straight bouts from 141 through 184 pounds to build a decisive lead.
The dual opened at 125 with
Luca Burgio grinding out a 7-5 decision. Concordia (Wis.) briefly pulled in front with a fall at 133, but Carthage seized momentum immediately afterward.
At 141,
Dorian Solis sparked the Firebirds with a fall in 49 seconds.
Edgar Albino added an 8-4 decision at 149 to keep Carthage moving. Moments later at 157,
Kayden Serrano needed just 35 seconds to record a pin and widen the gap.
Carthage continued its dominance in the upper-middle weights. At 165,
Maxwell Schmitt delivered an 18-0 technical fall in 3:34, followed by
CJ Gilbert's 16-0 technical fall at 174 in 3:40.
Jared Werner capped the run at 184 with a pin in 1:13, giving the Firebirds a commanding advantage.
Concordia (Wis.) closed with falls at 197 and 285, but the early Carthage surge had already secured the conference win.
The Firebirds travel to MSOE for the MSOE Invite which is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 6.