Team Black Wins Annual Wrestle-Offs, 25-17

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue wrestling team held its annual preseason Wrestle-Offs in Holloway Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon, with Team Black defeating Team Gold, 25-17.

Team Black, led by alumni coaches Stoney Buell and Ben Vanadia, won six of the 10 bouts in a competitive scrimmage that went back and forth before Team Black pulled away in the final two matches. Team Gold was led by fellow alumni Eric Douglas and Jason Hayes.

Senior Joey Blaze, ranked No. 3 at 165 pounds, recorded the only pin of the day, defeating Jacob Weaver at the 3:50 mark. The two-time All-American had already secured the takedown needed to clinch a technical fall but stayed on the attack to earn the additional bonus points with a fall. Had the result counted toward his career record, it would have been just the second pin of Blaze’s career.

Brody Baumann, ranked No. 22 at 174 pounds, and Noah Weaver (197) each recorded dominant 22-6 technical falls. Baumann is one of just two fifth-year seniors on the roster, while Weaver is entering his sophomore season as the presumptive starter at 197 pounds.

Ashton Jackson (125) opened the contest with an 8-0 major decision over Isaiah Quintero, making a statement at a weight class considered up for grabs entering the season. Jackson started the majority of Purdue’s duals at 125 pounds last season, filling the role after two-time All-American Matt Ramos graduated in 2025.

James Rowley (184) also earned bonus points with a 19-6 major decision over Aidan Costello. Although Rowley is a fifth-year wrestler, he stands to benefit from two additional seasons of eligibility under the new five-for-five eligibility rules.

Isaiah Schaefer, ranked No. 23 at 141 pounds, and Tylin Thrine put on one of the afternoon’s most entertaining bouts. Coming off a strong freshman season in which he earned Purdue’s first Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor in wrestling, Schaefer faced a tough challenge from the scrappy freshman from New Castle, Indiana. Thrine attempted multiple leaping takedowns but came up short in a 4-2 decision. Schaefer secured the victory with a second-period takedown that energized the crowd of 633 fans.

Sophomore Vincent Paino (133) strengthened his case to become Purdue’s starter at the weight class, defeating freshman Zach Stewart, 8-1. Returning starter Gavin Brown (149) also earned a decision, defeating Cole Solomey, 10-3.

At 157 pounds, Wyatt Krejsa battled Brody Saccoccia in a close bout before Krejsa went down with an apparent leg injury in the second period. Unable to continue, Krejsa gave Saccoccia an injury-default victory worth six team points.

UP NEXT

The Boilermakers will open their 107th season against Kent State on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m. ET in Holloway Gymnasium. The match will stream live on B1G+.

Purdue will look to secure head coach Tony Ersland’s 100th career victory in front of the home crowd. The dual will mark Purdue’s first wrestling season opener in West Lafayette since Dec. 3, 1960.