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EAST LANSING, Mich. – This past Friday, three standout wrestlers from the University of Wisconsin, known as the Badgers, made a significant impact at the Michigan State Open. Nicolar Rivera emerged victorious in the highly competitive 125 open division, while Zan Fugitt claimed an impressive second place in the 133 open division. Luke Condon rounded out the podium for Wisconsin by securing third place in the 174 open division.
Results of the open are below:
Fresh/Soph 125
Caleb Weiland (Michigan State) dec. Reid Spurley, 10-3
Reid Spurley recorded a decisive tech. fall against Roan Cooper (Davenport), dominating with an 18-1 scoreline. Following this, Spurley showcased his prowess with a 15-5 major decision over Simon Dominguez (Grand Valley). However, he faced a setback against Landon Bainey (Edinboro), falling 9-2.
Fresh/Soph 141
Carson Exferd demonstrated skill with a tech. fall against Augustus Maughan (Unattached), ending with a staggering 17-1 score. He battled hard but fell to Nick Blackburn (Central Michigan) in a close 4-2 decision. Exferd rebounded strongly with a major decision over Lane Huizar (Grand Valley), winning 14-3. He secured another victory against Jaden Crumpler (Michigan State), winning 4-1, but was eventually edged out by Gaven Suica (Edinboro), 7-3.
Fresh/Soph 174
Bradley Mayse (Grand Valley) prevailed over David Malin with a convincing 12-5 decision. However, Malin bounced back to secure a 5-1 victory over David Mitrovich before losing to Connor Smith (Findlay), 8-4.
Fresh/Soph 184
Dylan Russo asserted his dominance with a major decision of 15-3 against Chris Sanchez (Kent State). In the quarterfinals, he edged out Trammel Robinson (Grand Valley), winning 7-2. But in the semifinals, he faced a tough competitor, Cory Thomas (Michigan State), who defeated him by fall in 4:17. In the following match, Holden Martin (Central Michigan) overcame Russo in a tightly contested 8-5 sudden victory.
Open 125
Quarterfinal – Nicolar Rivera showcased his wrestling talent with a major decision of 11-2 against Sam Smith (Oklahoma State), setting the stage for his remarkable performance in the semifinals, where he achieved a tech. fall over Nolan Wertanen (Michigan), winning 20-4. In the finals, Rivera continued his streak by defeating Blake West (NIU) with a fall in just 1:57, solidifying his status as champion.
Open 133
Zan Fugitt dominated in the early rounds, achieving a tech. fall against Ashton Anderson with a score of 21-2. He moved on to the quarterfinals where he decisively defeated Andrew Austin (Central Michigan) 6-1. In a thrilling semifinal match, Fugitt edged out Markell Baker (NIU) in sudden victory, winning 5-2. However, he ultimately faced a setback in the final, falling to Cael Hughes (Oklahoma State) with a score of 7-4.
Open 174
Luke Condon showcased resilience by defeating Sean Larkin (Michigan State) with an 11-5 decision in the initial rounds. After a hard-fought quarterfinal bout against Chris Moore (Illinois), where Condon fell 8-5, he bounced back with a decisive 4-1 victory over Mason Alessio (Central Michigan). Condon notched an emphatic major decision against Aiden Vandenbush (Northwestern), winning 17-4, before securing a tight 5-1 decision over Caesar Garza (Michigan State). In the battle for third place, Condon triumphed by pinning Joseph Martin (Northwestern) in 2:29.
UP NEXT: Wisconsin will host Rider in the team’s home opener on Nov. 24. The dual will begin at Noon (CT) inside the UW Field House.
**Interview with Nicolar Rivera, Champion Wrestler at the Michigan State Open**
**Editor:** Today, we’re joined by Nicolar Rivera, who had a remarkable weekend at the Michigan State Open, winning the 125 open division and making headlines for the University of Wisconsin Badgers. Congratulations, Nicolar!
**Nicolar Rivera:** Thank you! It feels amazing to have won, and I’m proud to represent my team.
**Editor:** You faced some tough competition throughout the event. Can you walk us through your matches and how you prepared for this tournament?
**Nicolar Rivera:** Absolutely. Leading up to the tournament, my coaches and I focused on refining my technique and conditioning. In my matches, I concentrated on staying aggressive and making quick decisions. My first match was a bit shaky, but I managed to find my rhythm as the day progressed.
**Editor:** What did it mean to you to win in such a competitive environment?
**Nicolar Rivera:** Winning at a high-level event like the Michigan State Open is a huge honor. It not only boosts my confidence but also motivates our entire team. Seeing my teammates, Zan Fugitt and Luke Condon, also achieve great placements was a great reminder of how hard work pays off.
**Editor:** Your teammate Zan Fugitt finished in second place and Luke Condon secured third. How does it feel to be part of such a successful team?
**Nicolar Rivera:** It’s incredible! We support each other both on and off the mat. We train together every day, pushing one another to improve. Our success as individuals is a testament to our teamwork and dedication. I’m glad to see our efforts reflected in our results.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what are your goals for the rest of the season?
**Nicolar Rivera:** My main goal is to keep improving with each match. I want to stay focused on the upcoming competitions and build towards achieving my long-term goal of qualifying for the NCAA championships. Each tournament is a stepping stone towards that.
**Editor:** We wish you the best of luck in achieving your goals, Nicolar. Thanks for joining us today!
**Nicolar Rivera:** Thank you for having me! I appreciate the support.