Chicago’s Wrestling Team Heads to Pete Willson Invitational
The 13th-ranked University of Chicago men’s wrestling team is gearing up for an exciting weekend at the Pete Willson Invitational in Wheaton. This two-day event will showcase top talent from across the nation.
This season, the Maroons have recorded 9 wins and 4 losses in dual meets. They’ve shown their strength against strong opponents, winning four matches against teams in the top 15, including #8 Johnson & Wales and #13 UW-Whitewater. UChicago recently finished tenth in the NWCA National Duals, with a record of 3-3.
Two standout athletes for UChicago are senior Gunnar Garriques and Sean Conway. Garriques, ranked #8 nationally, holds a record of 9-1 and leads his region at 197 pounds. Conway matches him with a strong 25-4 record and is also ranked #8 in the country. Freshman Maksim Mukhamedaliyev, who has a remarkable record of 30 wins and just 4 losses, is ranked #12 nationally at 149 pounds. He’s been recognized multiple times as UAA Athlete of the Week.
Other notable wrestlers include Jackson Rustad and Matthew Barlay, who are ranked #14 and #15 respectively, both in the 125-pound category. Rustad has a record of 16-5 while Barlay sits at 18-4. Jackson Davis, competing at 184 pounds, is also a top contender in his region with 25 wins.
Wrestling builds character beyond the mat. Experts say it fosters discipline, teamwork, and resilience. According to a recent survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), high school wrestling participation increased by 4% in the past year, indicating a growing interest in the sport.
After this weekend, UChicago will prepare for the final UAA Championship tune-up in Dubuque, Iowa, on February 7.
As the Maroons compete, they’ll face tough challengers, including other nationally-ranked teams like #2 Roanoke and #4 UW-La Crosse, making this event an essential test of their skills and determination.
