Elijah Sanchez Spurs Men's Wrestling to Historic Win in Comeback Fashion over Alma, 27-21

ADRIAN, Mich.--The Adrian College men's wrestling team made history on Thursday night at the Merillat Sport and Fitness Center where the Bulldogs took the last three bouts to earn a thrilling come-from-behind 27-21 victory over Alma College in their Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association home opener.

Adrian beat the Scots for the first time in the modern-era that began in 2015-16 and overall since the 1980-81 campaign (36-10), snapping a seven-match losing streak in the series. The Bulldogs move to 10-5 in duals, reaching double-digit wins for the first time since 1970 when they finished 11-4-1 overall.

"Tonight was a great team win," stated Adrian head coach Bill Schindel. "We continue to bounce back from adversity. (And) we continue to get better physically, mentally and technically."

But the competition began with one of the best individual comebacks in recent memory at 133 pounds. After the Scots took a 6-0 lead after a forfeit at 125, sophomore Elijah Sanchez pinned Noah Lopez in 5 minutes and 34 seconds after trailing 12-1 at the end of the first period to knot the score for Adrian at 6-all.

The teams continued to trade blows for the next five bouts as Alma built a 21-13 advantage with three matches to go. During this stretch, Brendan Ladd (4:59) and Zachary Cooper (1:13) picked up pins at 141 and 157, respectively, for the visitors. Adrian junior Noah Nieman registered a 16-5 major decision over Mason Priest at 149, and sophomore teammate Derick Duvall edged Jayce Kuehnlein, 8-7, at 165. In Duvall's match, he led 4-2 after one period and it was tied 6-6 after two before Duvall clinched the win on a reversal with 33 seconds left.

At 184 is when Adrian mounted its comeback as Kyle Emery shut out Clayton Todd with a 2:46 technical fall, 16-0, pulling the Bulldogs within 21-18.

A pin in 28 seconds by junior Devon Pingel over Joseph Muzzin at 197 gave Adrian its first lead at 24-21.

The Bulldogs (1-1 in the MIAA) clinched the team win at 285 as sophomore Isaiah Espinoza defeated Jacob Ransom in a 7-4 decision to account for the final six-point margin.

Adrian returns to mat action on Saturday when the junior varsity squad competes at the Elmhurst College-hosted Al Hanke Invitational for a 9 a.m. start, and officially the Bulldogs are back next Thursday (7 p.m.) against MIAA foe Trine University at home.

(Notes: Espinoza is nationally-ranked No. 4 by D3wrestle.com...Pingel is No. 7 by D3wrestle.com and No. 9 by InterMat & National Wrestling Coaches' Association...Nieman is listed on D3wrestle as "honorable mention" or No. 20...Espinoza leads Adrian with a 24-1 record while Pingel breaks a tie with Espinoza for an AC-best 11 pins among a 22-2 mark...for Alma, Austin Wieczorek is a 125 "honorable mention" by D3wrestle...the Scots have returning All-Americans in Brendan Ladd at 141 and Zachary Cooper at 149, who ranked ninth and second, respectively, on D3wrestle's chart.)