LA CROSSE, Wis. – Cornell's men's wrestling team battled perennial power UW-La Crosse Friday on opening night, falling 30-9 to the No. 3 nationally-ranked Eagles at Mitchell Hall Gymnasium.
 
The Rams (0-1) picked up three individual wins, the first coming from freshman 141-pounder Jace Kennel in his collegiate debut. Kennel earned an 11-8 decision over Talan Schutte.
 
Cornell continued momentum at 149, receiving a 9-6 comeback win from senior Landon Card over Josh Cherba. That win brought the Rams within 9-6 through four matches.
 
The Eagles (1-0) gained separation with three straight wins before Cornell senior eighth-ranked Cael McLaren prevailed with a 4-3 decision over 12th-ranked Marcus Orlandoni at 184.
 
At 197, Cornell's 11th-ranked Treyten Steffen dropped an offensive-filled match to Kasey Gish, 19-13. Cornell's 13th-ranked heavyweight Jackson Brinker lost by fall to top-ranked Michael Douglas in 2:21.
 
Cornell sophomore 165-pounder Brian Petry nearly pulled a big upset over No. 2 Tyler Goebel, falling 9-7. Eli Sneed lost 13-8 in a competitive bout at 133.
 
Freshman Jayson Stevens lost by fall at 125. AJ Parrish lost by technical fall at 157. Dahson DeJong fell by major decision at 174.
 
Coming up – The Rams wrestle St. Ambrose at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Davenport.