Freshman Cael McLaren captured the 184-pound title, headlining 12 Cornell placewinners in the top six at Friday’s Last Chance Wrestling Invitational hosted by Central College.
McLaren (33-9), the team leader in wins this season, opened his 3-0 night with an 8-4 quarterfinal win over Central’s Austin Roos. McLaren then notched a quick pin in 52 seconds in the semifinal against Central’s Brodie Toth.
McLaren received a medical forfeit in his championship bout.
The Rams got runner-up efforts from 149-pounder Klayton Keller (13-14) and heavyweight Drake Fox (19-15). Keller dominated his first three opponents, all with technical falls by scores of 16-1, 19-1 and 16-1. Keller was edged 5-4 in the title match against Central’s Duncan Delzell.
Fox (19-5) went 2-1 in the 285-pound bracket, losing by fall in the championship to Iowa State’s Conner Murty. Fox scored decisions of 4-0 and 2-1 to reach the finals.
At 157, teammates Cory Stewart and Joey Shaw both went 1-1 and tied for third place. Reilly Dolan at 149 and Joseph Pasquesi at 184 both finished fourth.
Kyler Henderson at 141, Truman Thuente at 184 and Quinn Wilcoxen at 285 all placed fifth. Jackson Gonzales was sixth at 157 and Nick Demunno sixth at 197.