February 1, 2025
McPhee Leads Cobbers In Illinois
Senior Alex McPhee led Concordia at the prestigious Pete Willson Invite hosted by Wheaton College. McPhee went 4-2 over the 2-day tournament and placed seventh in the 157-lb weight class.
WHEATON, Ill. (2/01/25)---Senior Alex McPhee led Concordia at the prestigious Pete Willson Invite hosted by Wheaton College. McPhee went 4-2 over the 2-day tournament and placed seventh in the 157-lb weight class.
McPhee was the only place winner of the 8-athlete Cobber contingent. Senior All-American Ty Bisek, who is currently ranked No.9 at 141, did not compete in the tournament due to an injury.
McPhee lost his first match in Illinois but then rattled off three straight wins to reach the fourth round of the consolation bracket. McPhee started his 3-match win streak by posting a pin at the start of the third period against Joseph Olalde of Ferrum. He backed that up with a tech fall victory against Ryan Forrest of John Carroll. He completed his win streak with an 8-3 decision over Thomas Wagner of Case Western.
McPhee lost 8-4 in the fifth round of the consolation bracket but rallied to claim seventh place with a 9-4 victory over Clay Gainer from Messiah.
McPhee is now 18-10 on the season. His 18 wins are the most by any Cobber this season. His four victories also bring his career win total to 59.
Elijah Hunt advanced the farthest of any Concordia wrestler in the championship bracket at the meet. He won his Round of 16 matchup at 165 with a 7-3 decision against Teagan Hendricks of Ohio Northern. Hunt ran into trouble in his quarterfinal match when he fell on his head and shoulders and had to retire from the match.
Junior Kie Anderson came through with three wins at 133. He lost his opener but won three straight. He claimed a pin in the first round of the consolation bracket against Sam Deyro of Augustana (Ill.) he followed that with two more pins before losing in the fourth round of the consolation bracket. The three wins brings Anderson's season total to 16.
Freshman Jack Major was the only other Cobber with more than one win at Wheaton. He won his first match at 149 with a pin at 6:32 vs. Hayden Rofkahr of Ozarks. He also came through with a major decision win in the third round against Michael Pestana of Rhode Island.
Concordia will return to dual meet competition when they host former MIAC rival St. John's on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.