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Men’s Wrestling Falls to No. 25 North Central

Johnston and Dunning collect wins

11/10/2026 8:05:00 PM

NAPERVILLE, Ill.- The Illinois Wesleyan University men's wrestling team fell to College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin foe, No. 25 North Central College, 40-10, Tuesday, Nov. 10. The Titans fall to 0-2 (0-2 CCIW) while the Cardinals improve to 1-0 (1-0 CCIW).

Senior 141-pounder Austin Johnston (Normal, Ill.-Normal West) took an early lead over Matthew Maldonado with a takedown. A Maldonado escape sliced the margin down to 3-1 at the end of the first period. Beginning the second in the down position, Johnston scored a reversal to take a 6-1 lead with just one minute left in the period via a back trip that led into a pin, his first of the season and 44th of his career.

At 197, sophomore Trey Dunning (Mishawaka, Ind.-Mishawaka) earned a three-point takedown one minute in. An escape by NCC's AJ Hernandez cut it to 3-1 before Dunning registered another takedown with one minute left in the opening period. Another Dunning takedown grew the lead to 9-2 at the end of the first period. After a scoreless second period, the sophomore booked a near-fall with one minute left, pushing his lead to 13-2. Dunning earned a last-second takedown plus the riding time point to secure a 17-3 major decision.

The Titans are back in action this Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Millikin Open. Action from Decatur is slated for 9:30 a.m.

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