Khaxil Stewart

Wrestling 1/17/2026 9:00:00 PM Natalie Lopez

ACU Dominates Three Teams in Firestorm Duals

Glendale, Ariz.- Arizona Christian University men's wrestling hosted their first tri-dual in their annual Firestorm Duals against OUAZ, Utah Tech, and GCU. In their first dual against OUAZ, the Firestorm dominated and won 53-3. In their second dual, they competed against Utah Tech and defeated them 38-13. In their last dual, the Firestorm kept their momentum going and defeated GCU 42-18.

RESULTS

OUAZ - 3, Arizona Christian - 53

125 lbs. – Daniel Alire (ACU) won by forfeit over an unknown wrestler. (ACU 6-0)
133 lbs. – Caleb Valenzuela (ACU) won by forfeit over an unknown wrestler. (ACU 12-0)
141 lbs. – Braden Whitmore (ACU) won by pin over Jimmy Tsosie (OUAZ) 2:11. (ACU 18-0).
149 lbs. – Karsen Kosier (ACU) won by pin over Fabriccio Hernandez (OUAZ) 2:39. (ACU 24-0)
157 lbs. – Emanel Palacios (ACU) won by decision over Aiden Brian (ACU) 10-5. (ACU 24-3)
165 lbs. – Kevin Courseault (ACU) won by forfeit over an unknown wrestler (OUAZ). (ACU 30-3)
174 lbs. – Carter Fawcett (ACU) won by forfeit over an unknown wrestler (OUAZ). (ACU 36-3)
184 lbs. – Kaden Martin (ACU) won by forfeit over an unknown wrestler (OUAZ). (ACU 42-3)
197 lbs. – Nathaniel Angle (ACU) won by tech fall over Zander Winslett (OUAZ) 20-4 (3:07). (ACU 47-3)
285 lbs. – Elias Espinoza (ACU) won by forfeit over an unknown wrestler (OUAZ). (ACU 53-3)

Utah Tech - 13, Arizona Christian - 38

125 lbs. – Daniel Alire (ACU) won by decision over Seth Grow (Utah Tech) 14-7. (ACU 3-0)
133 lbs. – Caleb Valenzuela (ACU) won by forfeit over an unknown wrestler (Utah Tech). (ACU 9-0)
141 lbs. – Braden Whitmore (ACU) won by tech fall over Dallin Banks (Utah Tech) 15-0 (2:41). (ACU 14-0)
141 lbs. – Mark Zuniga (Utah Tech) won by decision over Ian Gutierrez (ACU) 14-12. (ACU 14-3)
149 lbs. – Gianluca Munoz (ACU) won by forfeit over an unknown wrestler (Utah Tech). (ACU 20-3)
157 lbs. – Christopher Moore (ACU) won by pin over Ryan Reay (Utah Tech) 2:39. (ACU 26-3)
165 lbs. – Enzo Morales (ACU) won by tech fall over Patrick Miller (Utah Tech) (ACU 31-3)
174 lbs. – Carter Fawcett (ACU) won by decision over Brennen Benedict (Utah Tech) 18-14. (ACU 34-3)
184 lbs. – Kaden Martin (ACU) won by major decision over Cael Houston (Utah Tech) 8-0. (ACU 38-3)
197 lbs. – Brit Sorenson (Utah Tech) won by pin over Dylan Tondreau (ACU) 1:23. (ACU 38-9)
285 lbs. – Micah Vuki (Utah Tech) won by pin over Elias Espinoza (ACU) 4:16. (ACU 38-13)

GCU - 18, Arizona Christian - 42

125 lbs. – Che Ramirez (GCU) won by pin over Aiden Espinoza (ACU) 2:23. (GCU 6-0)
133 lbs. – Caleb Valenzuela (ACU) won by pin over Jack Liiste (GCU) 4:45. (Tied 6-6)
141 lbs. – Alex Serrano (GCU) won by pin over Braden Whitmore (ACU) 1:44. (GCU 12-6)
149 lbs. – Albert Ambriz (ACU) won by pin over Noah Valenzuela (GCU) 2:32. (Tied 12-12)
157 lbs. – Mateo Valencia (ACU) won by forfeit over an unknown wrestler (GCU). (ACU 18-12)
165 lbs. – Kevin Courseault (ACU) won by pin over Tyler Scott (GCU). (ACU 24-12)
174 lbs. – Ruben Zilla (GCU) won by pin over Gary Smith (ACU) 2:15. (ACU 24-18)
184 lbs. – Nathaniel Angle (ACU) won by forfeit over an unknown wrestler (GCU) (ACU 30-18)
197 lbs. – Kaden Martin (ACU) won by pin over Nyan Lopez (GCU) 1:20. (ACU 36-18)
285 lbs. – Oxbert Ezeigbebe (ACU) won by pin over Carson Groff (GCU) 0:23 (ACU 42-18)

Thoughts from Coach Butterfield
"Tonight we had the opportunity to have a large portion of our underclassmen and redshirt wrestlers step on the mat to compete against some club teams from around the Southwest. This group of guys actually defeated the #5 ranked club team in the country in Utah Tech, which is a testament to our depth within the Firestorm Wrestling program. One of the exceptions in the lineup was senior Kaden Martin, who went 3-0 and put himself just one win shy of ACU's all time win record held by Carlo Castagnaro (68 career wins). This is a huge milestone in our program's history and we are excited for what is ahead of our guys. Next week we travel to Marshall, Missouri with the opportunity to make some noise at the country's toughest NAIA tournament in the Missouri Valley Invite."

Next Up
On Friday, ACU will travel to Missouri to compete in the Missouri Valley Invite, starting at 10am.

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Players Mentioned

Carlo Castagnaro: 5' 10"; Graduate Student

Albert Ambriz: 5' 9"; Senior

Aiden Brian: 5' 7"; Junior

Kevin Courseault: 5' 10"; Senior

Ian Gutierrez: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Kaden Martin: 5' 11"; Senior

Christopher Moore: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Gary Smith: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Mateo Valencia: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Caleb Valenzuela: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Braden Whitmore: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Karsen Kosier: 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Carlo Castagnaro
: 5' 10"; Graduate Student

Albert Ambriz
: 5' 9"; Senior

Aiden Brian
: 5' 7"; Junior

Kevin Courseault
: 5' 10"; Senior

Ian Gutierrez
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Kaden Martin
: 5' 11"; Senior

Christopher Moore
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Gary Smith
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Mateo Valencia
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Caleb Valenzuela
: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Braden Whitmore
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Karsen Kosier
: 6' 1"; Freshman