MILLIKIN, Ill. – Cornell's men's wrestling team turned in a strong performance at Saturday's Millikin Open, headlined by three individual champions.
 
Jase Van Pelt (125 pounds), Brian Petry (165) and Cael McLaren (184) captured titles at their respective weight classes to lead the Rams, who landed 11 total placewinners.
 
Van Pelt dominated the early rounds in the 125-pound bracket with two technical falls and a pin. He edged teammate Jayson Stevens in the semifinals with a 4-1 sudden victory and then earned a forfeit for the championship to cap a 5-0 day.
 
Petry beat McKendree's Casey Olszowka, 12-6, in the 165-pound title bout. The sophomore finished 5-0 with a pin and two technical falls.
 
The eighth-ranked McLaren improved his season record to 6-0 by winning the 184-pound division. He claimed a 4-1 decision over Central's Samuel West for the championship. McLaren cruised to the title bout with three technical falls and a pin.
 
Treyten Steffen reached the finals at 197, dropping an 11-9 decision to Triton's Ghee Rachal in the championship match. The 11th-ranked Steffen went 3-1 for a runner-up finish.
 
Stevens (3-1 at 125) and Landon Card (3-2 at 149) both took fourth in their respective weight classes.
 
Freshman Nate Wood placed fifth at 149 with a 5-1 mark. He collected bonus points in four wins, including three pins. Dahson DeJong won five consolation matches to take sixth at 174.
 
The Rams added eighth-place showings from Eli Sneed (133), Jace Kennel (141) and Quinn Wilcoxen (285).
 
Coming up – Cornell wrestles UW-Platteville in a home-opening dual meet at 7 p.m. Thursday inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.