MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The tension, the comeback, the drama, the pin. In a dual match that had everything, a more-dramatic ending would be tough to envision as Kolton Gagnon '24 landed a pin with just 32 seconds remaining, clinching a 15-point comeback win for the Wesleyan wrestling team over No. 17 ranked Centenary, 22-19, on Saturday from Bacon Field House.

• RESULTS

Trailing 15-0 after four bouts, the Cardinals rattled off four straight wins to take a 16-15 lead, only to see a major decision win put the Cyclones back out in front, 19-16, heading into the heavyweight bout.
 
Needing at least a decision win, Gagnon was up against it early on, trailing the bout 5-0, but a knee injury to his opponent, Arik Hums, stymied momentum for Centenary and put the match in balance. With injury time winding under a minute, Hums got off the mat and decided to carry on.
 
Now playing defense, Hums succumbed to a takedown and suddenly it was 5-5 with under one minute remaining. As the clock became more of a factor, Gagnon continued to go on the offensive and the match took a final turn as he drew Hums to the mat and landed a thrilling, match-clinching pin with just 32 seconds remaining that sent the Cardinals into hysterics.
   
An epic comeback for the Cardinals sees Wesleyan hand Centenary their first dual loss of the season while Wes improves to 3-0 in home dual matches this season.
 
The Cardinals saw the Cyclones take the first four bouts, three of which by decisions, including a crucial 7-1 decision defeat for Max Martinez '25 at 133 as the Cardinal junior limited points for Centenary's Danny Haws who came in ranked No. 7 nationally in the weight class.
 
Wesleyan's comeback started at 157 with CJ Shea '25 landing a dominating pinfall win over Mark Venson Jr. in 2:46. Dario Molina '24 followed with an 8-1 decision victory at 165 and Akiva Lind '26 moved up in weight class and toppled Hunter Cleaver by a 13-5 major decision as it suddenly was just a two-point deficit at 15-13.
 
Aris Dashiell '25 continued the momentum, landing a 5-1 decision victory at 184 over Angelo Piazza, giving Wesleyan their first lead of the match at 16-15, and a fourth straight bout win.
 
Facing the No. 12 ranked wrestler at 197, Lennon Soaper '27 did well in his match to hold Centenary to just a major decision win at 15-4, setting up the match-deciding heavyweight bout.
 
Wrestling in front of members of Wesleyan's 1983-84 New England Championship winning squad, the Cardinals celebrated the 40^th anniversary prior to the match, and in the end on a thrilling ending thanks to Gagnon's pin.
 
The Cardinals wrap up the dual match season next Saturday at home as Wesleyan welcomes Trinity for a 1 PM start in what will be Senior Day for the Cardinals.