LAS VEGAS, Nev. --- Linfield men's wrestling faced off against three teams at Wednesday's Desert Duals, earning one win as a team over Hope International (30-28), while falling to Manchester (51-6) and Concordia (WI) (35-16). The Wildcats were led by junior Ethan Ensrud, going 3-0 on the day.
 
In the first match that ended 51-6 in favor of Manchester, Ethan Ensrud captured the Wildcats sole win, pinning his opponent 2:24 into the first period. Manchester earned three wins via forfeit in the dual, taking an early lead. Jacob Moore (125-pounds), Trey Dieringer (184-pounds), and Julian Ortiz (HWT) all fell via pin, meanwhile Dean Smith (133-pounds), Max Vander Meide (141-pounds), and Damon Gasilos (149-pounds) fell via technical fall in the opening dual of the day for the Wildcats.
 
The team bounced back in a big way, with a clutch pin late by freshman Damon Gasilos, sealing a 30-28 victory for the 'Cats even though Hope International earned one forfeit. Linfield benefitted from four forfeits to begin the dual, taking an early lead. Smith, Vander Meide, and Ortiz were pinned in their matches, bringing the score close between the two squads. 
 
Damon Gasilos was behind 12-6 entering the third round in his match against Hope International, but the Wildcat freshman started the final round on top and pinned his opponent to lock in the winning team points for Linfield over the NAIA program from Fullerton, California. Lucien Lefebrve's first of two matches of the tournament came at 165-pounds, falling via major decision, 13-4. Gasilos' clutch win earned Linfield their first and only dual win of the tournament.
 
The Wildcats were bested by Concordia (WI), 35-16, with three 'Cats earning wins in the final dual of the day. Vander Meide bounced back, earning a 20-5 tech fall victory at 141-pounds, helping negate two matches that Concordia won via forfeit or injury. Gasilos' last match didn't go his way, as he was defeated 22-7 in a tech fall. 
 
Lefebvre and Ortiz fell in the first period of their two matches, meanwhile Dieringer and Ensrud had quality pins. Dieringer's came in the closing seconds of the second period, earning his first win of the tournament at 184-pounds. Ensrud had an undefeated 3-0 day, with only one win coming via forfeit, pinning his opponent from Concordia in the final dual of the tournament.
 
Linfield went 2-1 in the Desert Duals in Las Vegas, with four Wildcats earning wins across the tournament.
 
Linfield men's and women's wrestling returns in 2026, hosting the annual Mat 'Cat Invitational on January 4 inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium, beginning at 9 a.m.
 
To follow Linfield Wildcats coverage all season long, visit golinfieldwildcats.com. Please consider following Linfield Athletics on Facebook, and @LinfieldSports on Instagram and X.com.