WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The Wesleyan wrestling team took part in the Budd Whitehill Duals on Friday and Saturday at Lycoming College. The Cardinals went 1-4 in their five dual matches, finishing in 12^th place out of 16 teams.
 
Aaron Goldman '23 had himself a sensational showing in the tournament, winning all five of his dual matches in the 157-pound weight class. He had two pins, one major decision, and one sudden victory on his way to earning All-Tournament honors.
 
This is an important competition for us to compete, see, feel, and challenge ourselves in our preparations for the NCAA Regional & NCAA Championships," said Wesleyan head coach Drew Black. "We were right there in every dual & are continuing our process of closing out those tight, tough one-point matches in our favor. A 1-4 record may not seem like progress to those on the outside, but I felt we made much progress despite the outcome."
 
No. 3 Stevens 34, Wesleyan 12 | Group A, Round 1 | Results
 
The Cardinals landed 12 points with a pair of pins in a showdown against a national power in No. 3 ranked Stevens. Max Martinez '25 pinned Justin Cilotta at the 2:30 mark in the 141-pound dual while Goldman landed a pin of Jason Smith at 3:36 to account for the Wesleyan scoring.
 
Cortland 23, Wesleyan 15 | Group A, Round 2 | Results
 
In a close match, the Cardinals scored three decision victories and a forfeit win against the Dragons. After seeing a one-point loss at 141 followed by a two-point loss at 149, the Cardinals battled back with wins from Goldman at 157 (13-7 decision over Kyle Klein), Jack Reusing '25 at 165 (8-5 decision over Hunter Hughes), followed later with an Aris Dashiell '25 triumph at 184 (7-2 victory over Steven Gazzillo). Kolton Gagnon '25 won by forfeit in the 285 pound weight class.
 
Wesleyan 27, Wilkes 17 | Group A, Round 3 | Results
 
The Cardinals finished the first day of competition on a high note, battling to a win over Wilkes with six bout victories in the match. Shailen Savur '25 posted an impressive 10-0 major decision victory at 133 and Jack Wemmlinger '24 later started a run of five straight bout victories for the Cardinals with a 16-0 tech fall win over Braden Sitton at 149.
 
Goldman continued to dominate with a pin at 4:10 of Jaryn Hartranft at 157, Reusing won in a close 10-8 decision at 165, Marco Gatia '23 defeated James Geiger by a 10-8 decision at 174, and Dashiell won by an 8-1 decision over John DeVito at 184.
 
Lycoming 28, Wesleyan 13 | 9-12 Place Bracket | Results
 
Wesleyan landed three bout victories over the host Lycoming, with Savur pinning Jaciah Whitcomb at 4:08 before Goldman won by a 10-6 decision over Hunter O'Connor, and Gaita recorded a 9-6 decision victory over Eli Crum.
 
Messiah 27, Wesleyan 13 | 9-12 Place Bracket | Results
 
In the final match of the competition, four bouts went to Wesleyan, three of which by decision. Kellen Horst '26 recorded his first career dual match victory, defeating Mason Casey by an 8-6 decision at 141. CJ Shea '25 took down Clay Gainer by major decision (8-0) at 149. Goldman completed his undefeated tournament with a sudden victory in the first extra session, defeating Garret Cornell 5-3. Wrapping up the day, Gaita won a tight 8-7 decision over John Sumner to complete his tournament with three straight wins.
 
Wesleyan will next head to Springfield for the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Dual Championships held on Saturday.