Columbia, Ky. – The No. 5 ranked Indiana Tech men's wrestling team had an impressive showing at the NAIA Challenge Duals hosted by Lindsey Wilson on Sunday, defeating Menlo (Calif.) 26-15, Lindsey Wilson 28-9, Midway University 35-6, University of the Cumberlands 30-10, Campbellsville University 25-22, and University of Rio Grande 39-9.
 
Menlo Recap
 
Tech fell to a four-point deficit after the 125-lb matchup, but Matt Gimson picked up four points at 133 lbs with a MD 9-1 win over Michael Torres. Kyle Kantola won via Fall to earn six points for the Warriors. Menlo picked up a win in the 149-weight class before Nate Wheeler picked up a Fall. Menlo earned a combined eight points in the 165 and 174 classes before Eric Vermillion, Nathan Critchfield, and Braydon Erb won the final three matches, earning a combined twelve points for Tech to put them past Menlo 26-15.
 
Lindsey Wilson Recap
 
Tech fell behind three points as Lindsey Wilson took the 125-lb match. Elijah Anthony got things going for the Warriors kicking off a five-match win streak for Tech with a 5-1 win over Easton Lipsey. Kyle Kantola won via a 4-3 decision to earn another three points for tech at 141. Nick Gates picked up a MD 10-2 win at 149, while Nate Wheeler won five points via TF 17-0 at 157. Landon Buchanan won a close match with a 13-12 decision. Lindsey Wilson earned three more points in the 174 matchup. Eric Vermillion won via Major Decision 13-1, while Jacob Brandt earned six points for the Orange and Black with a win via Fall. Lindsey Wilson closed the match with a win at 285 for a final score of 28-9.
 
Midway Recap
 
Michael Tharpe and Elijah Anthony opened things up for Tech with a 9-8 win for Tharpe and an 18-0 TF for Anthony to put the Warriors up eight. Midway got three points back in the 141 match but would not find any more points until the 285 match. Corey Cavanaugh picked up a Fall in 149, while Nate Wheeler won via TF 16-1.  Landon Buchanan and Jacob Brandt won via Decision, while Trevor Stuyvenberg earned a Major Decision of 13-2. One forfeit helped lead Tech to a 35-6 final.
 
Cumberlands Recap
 
Cumberlands jumped to a four-point lead after the 125-lb matchup, but the Warriors responded well, winning the next four matches. Elijah Anthony got things going winning with a Major Decision of 12-3. Kyle Kantola won his matchup at 141 via a 3-2 Decision. Corey Cavanaugh and Nate Wheeler picked up a couple of Falls in their matchups. Cumberlands picked up a combined six points in the 165 and 174 weight classes. Again, Tech responded with Eric Vermillion, Jacob Brandt, and Cameron Mayes-Butler winning their matchups to give Tech a 30-10 victory.
 
Campbellsville Recap
 
Tech started this match going down six points, but Falls from Matt Gimson, Kyle Kantola, and Nate Wheeler helped surge Tech forward. Eric Vermillion and Nathan Critchfield won their matches via Major Decision and Decision 12-0 and 9-6 to give Tech a 25-22 win.
 
Rio Grande Recap
 
Tech jumped to an early lead over Rio Grande as Tharpe and Gimson both won their match via Fall, Gimson winning in just 10 seconds. Cavanaugh and Wheeler won their matchups to earn a combined six points for Tech. Vermillion, Brandt, and Mayes-Butler closed out the day for Tech winning via Fall, Tech Fall, and Major Decision as the Warriors won 39-9.
 
Tech is back in action Thursday at Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, for a Tri-dual with the Saints and the University of Pikeville.