Indianapolis, IN – UC Men's Wrestling had a strong day at the Indiana Little States Open hosted by the University of Indianapolis. The Patriots had seven wrestlers place in the tournament, including two runner-up finishes.

Junior Matteo Vargo went 4-1, at the invitational and took home second place in the 125-weight class. His first matchup of the day was against Quentin Keen (Wabash), which he won by a 16-1 technical fall. He scored seven of his points in the first period with a 4-point nearfall and a 3-point takedown. Vargo went on to face Nick Lawrensen (Thomas More) and won by another technical fall, 19-3. He scored nine of his points in the first period on a 4-point nearfall, 3-point takedown, an escape, and a one-point penalty. In the third round, Vargo won in a 15-4 major decision over Tyler Hisey (Indiana Tech) with a 4-point nearfall, three 3-point takedowns, and two escapes. In the semifinals, Vargo defeated #7 Allen Calderon (Indiana Tech) in a 10-5 decision, scoring eight points in the third period after trailing going into the final period. Vargo went on to face #14 Anthony Hughes (Marian) but fell in a 12-6 decision.

Thomas Ketchen-Carter, ranked seventh in the NAIA, competed in the 184-weight class and placed second as well with a 3-1 record. He opened with a 11-2 major decision victory over Aj Cashman (Indiana Tech) where he scored on two 3-point takedowns, a 2-point nearfall, reversal, and riding time. He took on Brandon Lloyd (McKendree) in the second round and won by a 17-2 technical fall, scoring all 17 points in the first period with three 3-point takedowns and two 4-point nearfalls. The senior won his third match over #17 Trevor Stuyvenberg (Indian Tech) by a 10-0 major decision, highlighted by three 3-point takedowns. Ketchen-Carter went on to face #2 William Speight (Lourdes) in the championship match where he fell in a close 4-2 decision.

Austin Silva went 3-1 on the day and took home third place in the 285-weight class. He opened the day with a bye before facing Enoch Shodeinde (Marian) in the second round where he notched a fall of 3:49. The sophomore defeated Elijah Hinshaw (Indianapolis) in the third round, recording another fall of 6:50. Silva fell to Parker Bentley (West Liberty) in his next matchup before taking his next match over #11 Johnny Cruz (Indiana Tech) by medical forfeit to place third.

Gage Hudson, ranked ninth in the NAIA, went 3-2 in the 141-weight class and earned a fourth place finish. The graduate student opened the tournament with a dominant 19-0 technical fall victory over Braden Haines (Marian). He scored seven points in the opening period with a 3-point takedown and a 4-point nearfall. Hudson continued that success in the second period, scoring twelve points on two 4-point nearfalls, a 3-point takedown, and an escape to close the match. In the second round, Hudson faced Hunter Wait (Manchester) where he notched a fall of 2:20. He went on to face Dylan Coleman (Rochester) in the third round where he won by technical fall, 16-1. In the semifinals, Hudson fell to Cole Thomas (Thomas More) by fall. Hudson fell to Elijah Anthony (unattached) in the third place match to place fourth.

In the 174-weight class, 15th ranked TJ Huber earned fourth place. Going 3-2 on the day, he started with a 6-0 decision victory over Evan Tilton (Milton). In the next round, Huber defeated Griff Bekish (Indiana Tech) in a close 5-3 decision, scoring on a 3-point takedown and two escapes. Huber succeeded in the next round over Breagan Pearson (West Liberty) by another decision, 4-1, with a 3-point takedown and an escape. In the semifinals, the graduate student fell to Carter Winegardner (West Liberty). Huber was defeated by Jaylen Young (Wabash) in his final match of the day to secure his placement.

Eli Peyton took sixth place in the 141-weight class and finished with a 4-2 record. In the first match, he notched a fall of 3:23 over Michael Tharpe (Indiana Tech). Peyton followed that up with another fall of 3:35 against Ian Heath (Marian). The junior faced Jake Niffenegger (unattached) but fell by a 5-1 decision. Peyton bounced back against Dakota Quinlan (unattached), notching a fall of 2:25. He advanced to face Anthony Wood (West Liberty) and won in a 5-1 decision, tallying a 3-point takedown, an escape, and a point for riding time. In his final match of the day, Peyton fell to #21 Cole McKinley (Lourdes) to secure sixth place.

Malachia Harris placed seventh in the 157-weight class. After opening with a bye, Harris went on to defeat Dominic Litchfield (Wabash), recording a fall of 2:58. He then went on to Daniel Uribe (unattached) but fell in a close 8-6 decision. The freshman faced teammate Marc LeGaspe in the next match and secured a 4-2 decision vitcory. Harris was defeated by Mitchell Betz (Manchester) before taking his next match over Jackson Todd (Marian) due to a medical forfeit.

The next event for the Patriots will be the Smokey Mountain Duals in Gatlinburg, TN. The duals will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 14th.

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