Juniors Evan Morgan and Brad Taton lead Wrestling at Pete Wilson Wheaton Invitational

By Matt Mangen

WHEATON, Ill. – The Ohio Northern wrestling team competed in the storied Pete Wilson Invitational at Wheaton (Ill.) College this weekend.

This invitational consists of 34 teams from across the country and is the second largest and oldest small-college wrestling tournament in the nation. 

The Polar Bears were led by juniors Evan Morgan (Cincinnati/ Elder) and Brad Taton (Mentor/ Lake Catholic) who placed 6th and 8th in their weight classes, respectively.

In the first round of the championship, Morgan knocked off the third seeded opponent from Baldwin Wallace by a 3-1 decision before picking up another 8-3 decision to advance him to the quarterfinals of the 149 pound weight class.

In the quarterfinals match Morgan took Messiah to overtime with a 2-2 tie.

Just over 30 seconds into the overtime period, Evan was able to score a takedown to win.

Morgan would be forced to withdraw from the semifinal match of the tournament due to a medical reason, but finished sixth overall in his weight class. 

After falling in the opening round of the 133-pound weight class, Taton would pick up a 6-0 decision to advance to the second round of the consolation tournament.

The junior was able to pick up a fall in the first period over Baldwin Wallace of the ensuing round and then followed with a 9-5 victory over his opponent from UW-Eau Claire.

Taton would fall 12-1 in the consolation quarterfinal before placing eighth overall in the tournament. 

Northern will return to action Tuesday as they travel to Otterbein to take on the Cardinals in their second Ohio Athletic Conference dual of the season.