Six Badgers find the podium at the Cyclone Invitational

Saturday, November 8

Ames, IA

All Day

Wisconsin Badgers

Iowa State Invite

Cody Goebel at the Cycle Invitational 11/8

Photo by: Suvir Grover

Six Badgers find the podium at the Cyclone Invitational

November 08, 2025 | Wrestling

Rivera and Fugitt come home with first-place finishes

By: Aliza Manekia

AMES, Iowa - The No. 22 Wisconsin wrestling team turned in a strong showing at the Cyclone Invitational, with six finalists and multiple podium finishes to close out the weekend.

At 125, No. 9 Nicolar Rivera continued his dominance, going 3-0 to win the title. Rivera opened with a 7-1 decision before earning a 17-2 tech fall in the semifinals and finishing with a 5-1 victory in the championship match.

No. 4 Zan Fugitt added Wisconsin's second title at 133, picking up three straight major decisions, including a 13-2 win in the finals to secure first place.

At 149, No. 14 Joseph Zargo placed third after a strong performance that featured a 21-6 tech fall win and a no-contest victory over teammate Elliott Biba in the third-place bout.

No. 32 Luke Mechler made an impressive run at 157, advancing to the finals with a pin, a major decision, and a 6-5 win in the semifinals. Mechler finished as runner-up after a close 4-3 decision in the title match.

At 165, No. 20 Cody Goebel also earned a second-place finish, collecting a 9-2 decision in his opener and advancing to the finals after a semifinal medical forfeit.

No. 27 Luke Condon followed with another runner-up finish at 174, earning back-to-back decision wins to reach the finals before dropping an 11-3 major decision in the championship round.

At 184, Cale Anderson secured third place after a 15-4 major decision and a 12-7 win to close out his bracket.

No. 17 Braxton Amos impressed at heavyweight, advancing to the finals with a major decision, a pin, and a 5-0 shutout. Amos fell just short in a tight 5-4 decision in the championship match to finish second overall.

Rounding out the podium finishes, Gannon Rosenfeld placed fourth at heavyweight after earning a 7-3 decision in the quarterfinals.

Wisconsin Results:
125
No. 9 Nicolar Rivera (3-0) – 1st Place

Dec. Yusief Lillie (Utah Valley) 7-1
TF Ethan Perryman (Iowa State) 17-2 (3:00)
Dec. Bridger Ricks (Utah Valley) 5-1

133
No. 4 Zan Fugitt (3-0) – 1st Place

MD Richard Murillo (Cal Baptist) 16-4
MD Carter Pearson (Iowa State) 9-0
MD Marcel Lopez (SIUE) 13-2

149
No. 15 Joseph Zargo (1-1) – 3rd Place

TF Matt Buck (Cal Baptist) 21-6 (2:34)
Lost Dec. David Evans (Utah Valley) 5-0
No Contest vs. Elliott Biba (Wisconsin)

157
Luke Mechler (3-1) – 2nd Place

Fall Koa Ruiz (Cal Baptist) 4:02
MD Mark Takara (Utah Valley) 14-3
Dec. Drayden Morton (Cal Baptist) 6-5
Lost Dec. Vinny Zerban (Iowa State) 4-3

165
Cody Goebel (2-1) – 2nd Place

Dec. Landen Johnson (SIUE) 9-2
MFFL Aiden Riggins (Iowa State)
Lost TF Connor Euton (Iowa State) 19-4 (4:31)

174
No. 27 Luke Condon (2-1) – 2nd Place

Dec. Tanner Lofthouse (Utah Valley) 13-6
Dec. Dominic Lopez (SIUE) 5-2
Lost MD MJ Gaitan (Iowa State) 11-3

184
Cale Anderson (2-1) – 3rd Place

MD Nico Ronchetti (SIUE) 15-4
Lost Dec. Caleb Uhlenhopp (Utah Valley) 11-9
Dec. Deron Pulliam (SIUE) 12-7

285
No. 17 Braxton Amos (3-1) – 2nd Place

MD Jake Fernandez (SIUE) 11-1
Fall Caeden Olin (Cal Baptist) 4:42
Dec. McCrae Hagarty (Iowa State) 5-0
Lost Dec. Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) 5-4

Gannon Rosenfeld (1-2) – 4th Place

Dec. Tristan Kemp (Cal Baptist) 7-3
Lost TF Yonger Bastida (Iowa State) 17-2 (3:27)
Lost Fall McCrae Hagarty (Iowa State) 2:44

Looking Ahead
The Badgers return to action next week when they travel to Athens, Ohio, to face the Ohio Bobcats in their second dual of the season.