WHEATON, Ill. - The No. 16 Messiah wrestling team opened up the Pete Wilson Invitational hosted by Wheaton College on Friday, placing two wrestlers into the semifinals. Sean Redington (125 lbs.) and Josiah Gehr (133 lbs.) anchored Messiah's effort on Day One, going undefeated and moving into the semifinals on Saturday. As a team, Messiah sits in fourth place with 64 points. North Central leads the team scoring with 72 team points.

Nick Barnhart (149 lbs.), Stephen Maloney (157 lbs.), and David Stevens (184 lbs.) are all still alive in the quarterfinals. Barnhart and Stevens both advanced to the quarterfinals before winning their only match in the consolation bracket. Maloney on the other hand, dropped his opening match before winning four-straight consolation matches to advance to Saturday's action.

The Invitational concludes on Saturday with wrestling beginning at 9:00 a.m.
 
125 lbs. - Sean Redington
    First Round - Sean Redington won by fall (2:19) over Dajun Jones (Adrian)
Redington wasted no time jumping out to a quick lead with a takedown in the opening minute. After four nearfall points, Redington led 6-0. An escape got Jones on the board, but Redington picked up another takedown and put Jones on his back, picking up the fall in 2:19.
 
    Second Round - Sean Redington won by fall (2:54) over Hunter Heck (Muskingum) 4-13 (Fall 2:54)
In his second-round match, Redington once again picked up a quick takedown in the opening minute. After two nearfall points in the middle of the period, Redington claimed his second first-period fall of the day, pinning Heck just before the end of the period in 2:54.

    Quarterfinals - Sean Redington won by decision (5-4) over Issac Wiegel (Wisconsin-Platteville)
In his quarterfinal bout, Redington trailed Wisconsin-Platteville's Issac Wiegel 4-3 with just 30 seconds remaining in the third period. Wiegel was nearly in on a leg, but Redington fought off the shot and took him down with just 22 seconds remaining and held on for the 5-4 decision to advance to Saturday's semifinals.
 
133 lbs. - Josiah Gehr
    First Round - Josiah Gehr received a bye
 
    Second Round - Josiah Gehr won by tech fall 16-1 over Axel Hernandez (Buena Vista)
After a first-round bye, Gehr was dominate with a pair of takedowns and 12 nearfall points in the opening period to earn a 16-1 victory over Hernandez.

    Quarterfinals - Josiah Gehr won by decision (11-9) over Griffin Seyfried (Chicago)
Gehr dominated the opening period of his quarterfinal match against Chicago's Seyfried, taking a 9-3 lead after three minutes thanks to a pair of takedowns and four nearfalls points. Seyfried controlled the second period, pulling within one at 9-8. Gehr held on in the third period, earning a point for stalling and a reversal to claim the 11-9 decision.
 
141 lbs. - Dalton Daugherty
    First Round - Jeff Andrews (Ohio Northern) won by decision 10-4 over Dalton Daugherty
Daugherty took a 4-1 lead after two minutes thanks to a pair of takedowns in the opening period. After a reversal, Andrews pulled with one at 4-3 after the first period. Andrews picked up a takedown in both the second and third periods en route to a 10-4 decision over Daugherty.
 
    Consolation Bracket - Dalton Daugherty received a bye

    Consolation Bracket - Dalton Daugherty won by major decision (11-3) over Alexander Smith (Defiance)
Daugherty was taken down in the opening minute of the first period against Defiance's Alexander Smith. After an escape and a takedown in the final seconds of the period, Daugherty led 3-2 at the end of the first period. A pair of takedowns and a reversal, highlighted the final two periods for Daugherty, who earned an 8-3 major decision.

    Consolation Bracket - Ethan Harsted (Wheaton) won by major decision (12-4) over Dalton Daugherty
Daugherty saw his tournament come to a close against Wheaton's Ethan Harsted. Daugherty earned four escapes while Harsted picked up four takedowns and a pair of nearfall points to fuel his 12-4 major decision.
 
149 lbs. - Nick Barnhart
    First Round - Nick Barnhart won by decision (4-3) over Josh Paisley (Elizabethtown)
In his opening round match, Barnhart trailed 2-1 after the opening period after getting takendown in the opening minute. Barnhart claimed the next four points with a pair of escapes and a takedown to take a 4-2 lead. A third-period escape by Paisley pulled him within one, but Barnhart held on for a 4-3 decision.
 
    Second Round - Nick Barnhart won by decision (10-5) over Slade Todd (Heidelberg)
In the second round, Barnhart came out on top of a tight match against Slade Todd from Heidelberg. After Todd earned a reversal early in the third period, Barnhart actually trailed 5-4, but a reversal and four back points gave Barnhart the 10-5 decision.

    Quarterfinals - Patrick McGraw (John Carroll) won by decision (11-6) over Nick Barnhart
Barnhart and John Carroll's Patrick McGaraw were tied 2-2 after the first period, but McGaraw begain pulling away with three points in the second period and six in the final period with four nearfall points highlight the final period. Barnhart earned a pair of reversals in the final period, but it was not enough as McGaraw earned the 11-6 decision.

    Consolation Bracket - Nick Barnhart won by fall (1:57) over Dakarai Clay (Wisconsin-Whitewater)
In his first match in the consolation bracket, Barnhart was taken down early, but escaped a minute later and earned a quick takedown to take a 3-2 lead. Just seconds later, Barnhart locked up a cradle and pinned Wisconsin-Whitewater's Dakarai Clay in 1:57.
 
157 lbs. - Stephen Maloney
    First Round - Rafael Roman (North Central (IL)) won in sudden victory - 1 (5-3) over Stephen Maloney
Maloney picked up the first points of the match with a takedown just over a minute into the first period. Despite his best efforts, Maloney was unable to turn Rafael Roman and held a 2-0 lead at the end of the period. Maloney added another minute to his riding time in the second, but Roman escaped to make it 2-1. A last second takedown by Roman as the buzzer sounded gave him a 3-2 lead after two periods. Maloney earned a riding time point after a quiet third period to force overtime. In the sudden victory period, Roman earned a takedown to advance into the second round.
 
    Consolation Bracket - Stephen Maloney won by major decision (15-6) over Matt Tomsett (Alma)
A pair of takedowns and four nearfall points in the opening period led Maloney to an 8-1 lead after three minutes on the mat. Two more takedowns and an escape in the second period had Maloney up 13-2 en route to a 15-6 major decision over Alma's Matt Tomsett in the consolation bracket.

    Consolation Bracket - Stephen Maloney won by fall (0:18) over Corey Loera (Muskingum)
Maloney was relentless in his 18 seconds on the mat against Muskingum's Corey Loera. Maloney earned the early takedown and bullied Lorea to his back for the fall.

    Consolation Bracket - Stephen Maloney won by tech fall (16-0) over Tristan Massie (Wisconsin-Eau Claire)
Much like his last match, Maloney earned a takedown in just 10 seconds in and earned four sets of nearfall points to pick up the 16-0 technical falls with 14 total nearfall points. He earned the technical fall in 2:29.

    Consolation Bracket - Stephen Maloney won by decision (7-5) over Ryan Whitten (Otterbein)
Maloney punched his ticket to Saturday with his fourth-straight victory in the consolation bracket with a 7-5 decision. Maloney earned a pair of takedowns and a reversal to hold off Otterbein's Ryan Whitten.
 
165 lbs. - Matt Pangle
    First Round - Matt Pangle won by fall (3:52) over Chris Anderson (Mount Union)
After a scoreless opening period, Mount Union's Chris Anderson selected the bottom and in the opening minute of the second period, Pangle flipped Anderson to his back and earned the fall in 3:52.
 
    Second Round - Jacob Boumans (North Central (IL)) 2-0 won in sudden victory - 1 (9-7) over Matt Pangle
In the second round, Pangle held a 6-2 lead with just seconds remaining in the the second period after a takedown, reversal, escape, and stalling point in the first 4:45 of his bout. North Central's Jacob Boumans earned a takedown late in the period before picking up three points in the third period to force overtime. Boumans earned a takedown less than 15 seconds into the sudden victory period to claim a 9-7 decision.

    Consolation Bracket - Matt Pangle won by major decision (18-4) over Mike Huck (Elmhurst)
A massive second period propeled Pangle to a major decision over Mike Huck from Elmhurst. Pangle earned eight nearfall points in the second period en route to the 18-4 major victory.

    Consolation Bracket - Matt Pangle won by fall (1:53) over Stephen Watson (Wheaton)
Pangle raced out to a 10-0 lead with a takedown and eight nearfall points before picking up the fall less than two minutes into the match.

    Consolation Bracket - Chase Schmidt (Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by decision (3-1) over Matt Pangle
Pangle and Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Chase Schmidt were level 1-1 late in the third period with each picking up an escape each. With less than a minute remaining in the third, Schmidt earned a takedown and held on for the final 50 seconds for the 3-1 decision, ending Pangle's weekend.
 
174 lbs. - Brian Shermeyer
    First Round - Brian Shermeyer won by decision (6-2) over AJ Stengel (Wisconsin-Oshkosh)
Brian Shermeyer earned a takedown in each of the first two periods to build a 4-2 lead after five minutes. In the third period, Shermeyer picked up an escape and added a point with riding time to claim a 6-2 decision.
 
    Second Round - Nick Dado (Wisconsin-Platteville) won by decision (9-4) over Brian Shermeyer
Shermeyer fell into a 4-1 hole after the first period after being takendown twice. He did battle back in the second period with a tilt earning him two points to pull within one at 4-3. After the pair traded escapes, Dado picking up a stalling point, a takedown, and a pair of nearfall points in the third period to earn the 9-4 decision.

    Consolation Bracket - Brian Shermeyer won by decision (5-2) over Hunter Harrison (Wheaton)
Shermeyer used a first-period takedown and a second-period reversal to take a 4-0 lead heading into the final two minutes. Despite a takedown by Wheaton's Hunter Harrison, Shermeyer escaped to claim a 5-2 decision to stay alive.

    Consolation Bracket - Joey Bradberry (Otterbein) won by decision  (12-10) over Brian Shermeyer
In a high-scoring bout, Shermeyer attempted to battle his way back from a 10-0 first-period hole, but was unable to climb all the way back. Shermeyer earned 10 points in the final two periods, but was not able to make it all the way back, falling 12-10.
 
184 lbs. - David Stevens
    First Round - David Stevens won by tech fall (18-2) over Demontay Wimbush (Ferrum)
Stevens earned a dominating 18-2 technical fall thanks to four takedowns, an escape, and eight nearfall points, needing just under five minutes to take care of Ferrum's Demontay Wimbush.
 
    Second Round - David Stevens won by major decision (17-3) over Grayson Richter (Alma)
Much like his first-round match, Stevens put on an impressive show in the second round, earning a 17-3 major decision over Alma's Grayson Richter. Stevens held an 8-0 lead after the first period with a takedown and six nearfall points. An escape and a pair of takedowns in the second period, built his lead to 13-1 before claiming the major decision.

    Quarterfinals - Cody Baldridge (North Central (IL)) won in sudden victory - 1 (6-4) over David Stevens
In the quarterfinals, a tight match with Cody Baldridge (North Central) was decided with a sudden victory takedown in overtime. The match was tied 3-3 after the opening period with both Baldridge and Stevens earning a takedown and an escape. Each earned quick escapes and the match remained tied after regulation. Just over 10 seconds into overtime, Baldridge earned the winning takedown.

    Consolation Bracket - David Stevens won in sudden victory - 1 (5-3) over Dan Squires (Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
Stevens moved onto Saturday with a sudden victory decision over Dan Squires in his first match of the consolation bracket. After a quiet first period, Stevens led 3-2 after the second period, but a third-period escape from Squires tied the match at 3-3 forcing overtime. Thirty seconds into the overtime, Stevens picked up the takedown to claim his spot on Saturday.
 
197 lbs. - Joe Embleton
    First Round - Devon Pingel (Adrian) won by tech fall (21-4) over Joe Embleton
Wrestling against the top seed in the bracket, Embleton fell against Adrian's Devon Pingel in the opening round by a 21-4 technical fall. Pingel earned six takedowns and eight nearfall points en route to the victory.
 
    Consolation Bracket - Joe Embleton won by decision (10-7) over Dylan Messer (Augustana)
In his first match of the consolation bracket, Embleton took a slim lead against Augustana's Dylan Messer in the opening period and was able to hold on down the stretch to claim a 10-7 decision. Embleton led 5-3 after the opening period, but after Messer earned a pair of escapes and Embleton completed a takedown the margin remained two heading to the third. The pair traded reversals and Embleton picked up a point for stalling to claim the 10-7 decision.

    Consolation Bracket - Joe Embleton won by major decision (15-5) over Da`veon Parker (Heidelberg)
Against Heidelberg's Da`veon Parker, Embleton built a consistent lead throughout the match en route to the major decision. Embleton earned at least four points in every period, including a seven-point opening period that included four nearfall points.

    Consolation Bracket - Braden Homsey (Ferrum) won by fall (1:45) over Joe Embleton
Ferrum's Braden Homsey earned two takedowns sandwiched around an escape from Embleton before picking up a first-period fall to wrap-up Embleton's run through the bracket.
 
285 lbs. - Sam Blevins
    First Round - Chad Grimm (MacMurray) won by fall (5:56) over Samuel Blevins
Blevins trailed MacMurray's Chad Grimm 4-2 midway through the third period, but Grimm earned a takedown and put Blevins on his back, completing the fall in 5:56 to end the match. Blevins had earned a pair of escapes earlier in the match while Grimm had a takedown and a reversal before the third period fall.
 
    Consolation Bracket - Samuel Blevins won by fall (1:38) over Nick Mitchell (Buena Vista)
In his first match in the consolation braket, Blevins earned a fall of his own in just over a minute and a half against Buena Vista's Nick Mitchell. Just 20 seconds into the match, Blevins earned a takedown and bullied Mitchell to his back for the pin in 98 seconds.

    Consolation Bracket - Samuel Blevins won by decision (4-2) over Evan Betz (Millikin)
A first-period takedown and a second-period reversal lifted Blevins to a 4-2 decision over Evan Betz from Millikin. Betz earned escapes in the second and third period, but Blevins' lead held up to earn the decsion and to advance.

    Consolation Bracket - Dylan Uzumecki (Wisconsin-Whitewater) won by fall (0:42) over Samuel Blevins
Blevins' run through the tournament came to an end against Wisconsin-Whitewater's Dylan Uzumecki, who earned a first-period fall.

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