While Case Western Reserve University students were resting and enjoying winter break, the CWRU wrestling team was busy on the mats, dominating competition and earning eight dual victories during the break.
The Spartans opened their stretch of competition at the Chocolate Duals at Messiah University in Grantham, Pennsylvania, finishing a perfect 3-0 with wins over No. 22-ranked Ithaca College (30-17), No. 19-ranked Messiah (23-20) and No. 11-ranked Arcadia University (31-16). CWRU posted a combined 19-10 individual record, led by undefeated performances from fourth-years Art Martinez, Thomas Wagner and Aidan Gassel, third-year Mathew Gummere and first-year Hunter Keane.
CWRU began the tournament with a strong victory over Ithaca, using bonus-point wins from Martinez and Wagner along with a pin from fourth-year Marty Landes to pull away. In a tightly contested matchup against Messiah, the Spartans erased multiple deficits before Gassel sealed the upset with a match-winning pin at 197 pounds. The day concluded with a dominant win over Arcadia, highlighted by Martinez’s major decision over the top-ranked Division III wrestler at 133 pounds. Technical falls and a pin from the middle and upper weights helped secure an insurmountable lead.
To open the new year, the Spartans traveled to Manhattan, New York, to compete in the 2026 UAA Challenge at New York University, again finishing 3-0 with wins over Centenary University (31-9), Gettysburg College (25-17) and Johns Hopkins University (27-16). Martinez, Wagner, Gassel and Keane all went undefeated on the day.
CWRU controlled the Centenary dual behind a technical fall from Martinez, a pin from Keane and winning six of the final seven bouts. Against Gettysburg, the Spartans jumped out to a 16-4 lead, and technical falls from Gassel and a shutout major decision from Gummere sealed the victory. The Spartans closed the event with a 27-16 win over Johns Hopkins, highlighted by technical falls from Martinez and Keane and major decisions from second-year Chase Crutchley and Gassel.
To kick off the start of the semester, the Spartans hosted the 2026 Claude Sharer Duals, continuing their momentum with dominant wins over Manchester University (33-10) and the University of Mount Union (37–12). Martinez, Wagner, Landes, second-year Robert Minden and first-year Alexander Goldman all went 2-0 at the meet.
Against Manchester, the Spartans won five consecutive bouts to seize control early. Martinez earned a technical fall over a regionally ranked opponent, Keane added a major decision and Minden followed with a quick pin. Wagner and Landes each recorded technical falls, while Gummere and Goldman added major decisions to secure the win. CWRU carried that momentum into the Mount Union dual, opening with a pin from fourth-year E.J. Alizio built a 25-0 lead with wins from Martinez, Minden and a pin by Wagner. Landes and Crutchley added decisions before Goldman closed the scoring with a pin as the Spartans cruised to victory.
Individually, Martinez earned his 126th career victory to move into a tie for fourth place in program history, while Keane improved to a team-best 23-5 record. Wagner also recorded his fourth pin of the season as the Spartans continued their strong dual-meet campaign.
Looking ahead, the Spartans will compete in the Tom Jarman Spartan Mat Classic on Saturday, Jan. 17, and are approaching the UAA Championships on Feb. 14. Following their impressive winter break performance, the Spartans are currently ranked 21st in the nation.