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Austin Johnston neutral stance at Millikin Open (Photo by Jimmy Naprstek/Kodiak Creative)
Kodiak Creative

Johnston Leads Wrestling at Cliff Keen-Mike Duroe Invitational

CCIW Championships on deck for the women, CCIW Duals next for IWU men

1/18/2025 5:19:00 PM

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – The Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's wrestling teams concluded competition at the Cliff Keen-Mike Duroe Invitational in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Saturday, Jan. 18 with five Titans earning bout wins inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center on the campus of Cornell College.

Wrestling in the Gold 141 division, sophomore Austin Johnston (Normal, Ill.-Normal West) opened the day with a 5-1 decision over Omar Samayoa of Cornell before meeting Brody Neighbor of Coe in the next round. Neighbor and Johnston rank fifth and sixth, respectively, in the National Wrestling Coaches Association's Region 8 rankings at 141 pounds and it was Johnston who secured the pin (5:38) in the third period to claim the bout win. Johnston had the best record for the Titans on Saturday, finishing the day 2-2. 

Also picking up bout wins in the tournament were freshmen Ameer Alamawi (New Lenox, Ill.-Lincoln-Way Central) and Lucas Blanton (Dixon, Ill.-Amboy) and senior Omar AlQammaz (Orland Park, Ill.-Victor J. Andrew). Alamawi's win came in the 149 Gold Division with a 20-2 technical fall over Riley Woods of St. Ambrose while Blanton earned his second career win in the 165 Gold Division with a 5-4 decision over Nolan Schuetz of Cornell. AlQammaz picked up a 14-12 decision over Gage Sweckard of Cornell in the 157 Silver Division.

Freshman Sifa Feruzi (Denver, Colo.-Macomb Senior) was the Titans' sole representative on the women's side. She opened her day with a win in the Gold 180 Division on a 10-0 technical fall over Meara Hayes of Lakeland, but ultimately dropped her next two bouts to finish the day 1-2.

The Illinois Wesleyan men will head to Kenosha, Wis. Saturday, Jan. 25 for the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Duals while the women prepare for their first-ever CCIW Championships appearance Sunday, Jan. 26 in Rock Island, Ill. 
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