The mats were alive with energy and upsets at the 2026 Greyhound Open in Indianapolis, as collegiate wrestlers from across the Midwest squared off in a day packed with technical falls, dramatic pins, and hard-fought decisions. While the tournament didn’t keep team scores, the performances from SIUE and Wabash College athletes spoke volumes, with both squads boasting multiple top-eight finishes and a handful of standout individual stories.
For SIUE, the spotlight shone brightest on Donavon Allen, who powered his way to the 149-pound title. Allen’s path to the top of the podium was a masterclass in dominance and consistency. He opened his run with consecutive technical falls—first dispatching Juan Gutierrez of Mount St. Joseph (TF 18-2), then Michael Tharpe of Indiana Tech (TF 18-1). Not content to coast, Allen kept the pressure on, earning major decisions over Egidio Difazio (Maj 14-3) and Abe Hermes (Maj 11-2), before grinding out a 4-1 decision against Antonio Alvarado in the semifinals. The championship match saw Allen face Charlie Fifield, an unattached wrestler representing Illinois. Allen never looked rattled, controlling the match for an 8-2 decision and securing the title.
Allen’s performance was the cherry on top of a strong day for SIUE, which placed 12 wrestlers in the top eight across weight classes. The Cougars’ depth was on full display, with Davian Guanajuato (3rd at 125 pounds), Ben Lunn (3rd at 141), Alec Peralta (6th at 141), PJ Murphy (7th at 157), Gage Murphy (3rd at 165), Landen Johnson (8th at 165), Caleb Neal (4th at 174), Hayden Trezek (2nd at 174), Amare Overton (4th at 184), Nico Ronchetti (3rd at 184), and Jake Fernandez (7th at 285) all making the cut. Each had their own journey, but none more dramatic than Allen’s string of technical falls and major decisions en route to gold.
"It was a tough bracket, but I trusted my training and stayed aggressive," Allen said after his final win. "Every match was a test, but I just focused on scoring and keeping my energy up." His approach paid off, as he notched two technical falls and two major decisions before the championship bout. SIUE’s head coach praised the team’s grit: "Our guys wrestled hard all day. They battled in every position, and Donavon’s performance set the tone for everyone else."
While Allen was the undisputed star for SIUE, the supporting cast had their own moments of brilliance. Ben Lunn, wrestling at 141 pounds, collected a fall, two technical falls, and a gritty 8-3 decision in the third-place bout. Gage Murphy’s third-place finish at 165 was highlighted by a quick pin in just 53 seconds and a decisive fall in the medal match. Hayden Trezek’s run to the 174-pound final included three pins, only to be stopped by Nebraska’s Tyler Eise in a lightning-fast fall in the final. Still, Trezek’s silver was a testament to his aggressive style and resilience through the bracket.
Meanwhile, Wabash College’s contingent put together their own highlight reel, with seven Little Giants cracking the top eight. Senior James Day was the pacesetter, taking third at 133 pounds. He opened with a 17-0 technical fall over Logan Klinge of Grand Valley State, then pinned Ashton Gamboa in under four minutes. After a nail-biting 6-5 tiebreaker win in the quarters, Day fell in the semifinals but rebounded by pinning Mason Feudale in 3:58 to lock up third place. Day’s ability to bounce back after a tough loss showcased the veteran savvy that’s made him a cornerstone for Wabash.
Junior heavyweight Titus Waters matched Day’s third-place finish at 285 pounds, pinning his first two opponents before outlasting SIUE’s Kevin Zimmer in a sudden-victory thriller. Waters ultimately grabbed third by medical forfeit following a semifinal defeat. Wabash’s depth was further underscored by Andrew Ross, who battled through a marathon consolation bracket at 157 pounds, racking up falls and a major decision before landing in fifth place.
The Little Giants’ Cooper McCloy was another story of perseverance, finishing fifth at 165 pounds after a series of pins and a technical fall in the wrestlebacks. Jaylen Young (7th at 174), Isaac Ash (7th at 125), and Michael Taheny (7th at 184) rounded out the Wabash placers, each stringing together pins and technical falls to earn their spots among the top eight. Freshman Ash, for instance, opened with a pair of lightning-quick pins and closed with a dominant 16-1 technical fall in his final match—an impressive showing for a first-year grappler.
Wabash coach Brian Anderson lauded his team’s effort: "Our guys showed a lot of heart today. James [Day] set the tone early, and everyone fed off that energy. The Greyhound Open always brings out the best in our wrestlers, and this year was no different."
Although the Greyhound Open did not officially track team scores, the number of top-eight finishers from both SIUE and Wabash was a testament to the programs’ depth and the quality of their respective training rooms. The competitive fire was evident on every mat, with no shortage of sudden-victory decisions, medical forfeits, and no-contest results adding to the drama.
For SIUE, the focus now shifts to the Mid-American Conference dual match at Buffalo on February 13—a key test as the Cougars look to carry momentum from Indianapolis into the heart of their conference schedule. With Allen’s title run and the breadth of placers throughout the lineup, confidence is running high in Edwardsville. "We’re building towards the postseason, and this tournament was a great step forward," said Allen. "Now it’s about staying sharp and getting ready for Buffalo."
Wabash, meanwhile, has its sights set on the Mid-States Wrestling Invitational at Alma College next weekend, before gearing up for the NCAA DIII Central Region Tournament at the end of the month. With veterans like Day and Waters leading the way and a crop of hungry underclassmen making their mark, the Little Giants appear poised for a strong finish to their campaign.
As the dust settles in Indianapolis, both SIUE and Wabash can take pride in their wrestlers’ performances—a mix of veteran leadership, breakout moments, and relentless determination. The Greyhound Open once again lived up to its reputation for tough competition and compelling storylines, and the road to the postseason now looks a little clearer for these two powerhouse programs.