From University of Chicago Athletics

Four University of Chicago wrestlers placed in the top six of their respective weight classes to lead the Maroon effort at Elmhurst College's Al Hanke Invitational on Saturday.

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point won the 11-team invite with 156 points. The Maroons were sixth with 55 points.

Junior Paul Papoutsis came into the day as the No. 2-seed at 174 pounds. He won his opening two matches handily by fall and by major decision, 10-2. The semifinal was close, but Papoutsis lost 6-4. He came back in the consolation bracket to win 14-0 and went on to take third place with a first-period pin.

Mason Williams won both his opening matches via pin in the first period at 149 pounds. After absorbing a loss in the semifinals, he won his consolation semi 6-2. The freshman ended up placing fourth after losing 15-11 in the third-place bout.

Freshman Jason Lynch joined Papoutsis at 174 pounds and started off with a narrow 6-5 loss to the top-seed from Elmhurst. He then went 3-1 in the consolation bracket, which included dominating major decision victories – 20-8 and 14-3. Lynch ended up winning fifth place.

Sophomore Nick Ferraro was the No. 3-seed at 165 pounds and also reached the semifinals in his bracket. Ferraro won his first two matches and ended up placing sixth.

Fellow freshman Louis Demarco also placed fifth in his 133-pound bracket, finishing with a 2-2 record on the day.

Luke Iida was a multiple winner on the day. At 157 pounds, the freshman went 2-2 with a pair of major decisions (17-9 and 15-7).

"Putting four wrestlers in semifinals out of the seven weight classes we entered was good, but we dropped all four matches, three of which were very close and winnable," said Head Coach Leo Kocher. "Paul's only close match was against the eventual champion, whom he was beating until the last 10 seconds. I'm proud of our three freshmen who placed as well. We left a couple top guys at home to heal up and we hope to get them back in the lineup soon."