Anderson Takes Gold, Kish Finishes Runner-Up at Al Hanke Invitational

ELMHURST — The Carthage College men's wrestling team turned in several strong performances at the Al Hanke Invitational, led by an individual title from Zaren Anderson at 157 pounds and a runner-up finish from Chris Kish at 125 pounds.

At 157 pounds, Anderson captured first place and totaled 28.0 team points. He opened the tournament with back-to-back pins over David Johnson of Triton College and Ian O'Connor of Bryant & Stratton. Anderson added a 34-second fall against Tagg Miller of North Central (Ill.) in the quarterfinals before advancing via medical forfeit in the semifinals. In the championship bout, Anderson secured a 4-1 decision over Aden Byal of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Kish delivered a second-place finish at 125 pounds, scoring 20.0 team points. After a bye in the opening round, Kish pinned Nathan Mielke of Bryant & Stratton in 3:51. He followed with a 13-3 major decision over Youti Wan of Chicago and an 11-2 major decision against Alejandro Cordova of Elmhurst to reach the final, where he fell by major decision to Joey Sikorsky of North Central (Ill.).

Also at 125 pounds, Luca Burgio recorded 4.5 team points. Burgio advanced past a bye before being pinned by Lane Andersen of MSOE. He responded with a 21-2 technical fall over teammate Dontre McClose and a pin of Pedro Estrada of UW-Stevens Point at 4:51 before dropping his final bout. McClose was held scoreless at the weight.

At 141 pounds, Dorian Solis received a first-round bye but was pinned in back-to-back matches by Carter De La Cerna and Jad Alwawi, both of North Central (Ill.).

Carthage had three competitors at 149 pounds. Elijah Zepeda placed eighth and scored 6.5 team points. Zepeda earned a pin in 1:02 over Kolin Little of Harper College and a 12-6 decision against Michael Hodge of Harper before finishing his run in the consolation bracket. Kayden Serrano added one team point, highlighted by an 8-4 decision over Frank Budederi of Concordia Wisconsin.

At 165 pounds, Maxwell Schmitt and Blake Forke each contributed team points. Schmitt pinned LaQuaris Moore of Blackburn in 2:42 during consolation action, while Forke opened his tournament with a 20-second fall over Ivan Ni of Wheaton (Ill.).

Two Firebirds competed at 174 pounds. Tucker Kemnitz was eliminated after two matches, while CJ Gilbert placed fifth and totaled 17.0 team points. Gilbert opened with a pin in 1:51 and a 17-2 technical fall before falling in the quarterfinals. He rebounded with a forfeit win, a 17-0 technical fall in the consolation semifinals, and a no-contest in the fifth-place match.

London Kiser earned a first-round decision at 184 pounds, defeating Zach Canaday of UW-Stevens Point, before exiting the bracket in the consolation round. At 197 pounds, Elvis Muja earned a sudden-victory decision over Joe Raineri of MSOE in consolation action.

Carthage will wrestle in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Duals, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 23.

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Players Mentioned

Zaren Anderson: 5' 10"; Senior; 157

CJ Gilbert: 6' 1"; Senior; 174

Chris Kish: 5' 4"; Senior; 133

Elvis Muja: 5' 8"; Sophomore; 197

Maxwell Schmitt: 5' 10"; Senior; 165

Elijah Zepeda: 5' 9"; Sophomore; 149

Luca Burgio: 5' 2"; Freshman; 125

Blake Forke: 5' 9"; Freshman; 165

Tucker Kemnitz: 5' 11"; Freshman; 174

Kayden Serrano: 5' 7"; Freshman; 149

Players Mentioned

Zaren Anderson
: 5' 10"; Senior; 157

CJ Gilbert
: 6' 1"; Senior; 174

Chris Kish
: 5' 4"; Senior; 133

Elvis Muja
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; 197

Maxwell Schmitt
: 5' 10"; Senior; 165

Elijah Zepeda
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; 149

Luca Burgio
: 5' 2"; Freshman; 125

Blake Forke
: 5' 9"; Freshman; 165

Tucker Kemnitz
: 5' 11"; Freshman; 174

Kayden Serrano
: 5' 7"; Freshman; 149