Saturday, January 31
Ithaca, N.Y.
1:00 PM
Columbia
22
at
21
Cornell
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Lem Photography
Wrestling Ends 40 Year Losing Streak Against Cornell
1/31/2026 8:00:00 PM | Wrestling
Lions go 2-0 with wins over Big Red and Arizona State in the nightcap
ITHACA, N.Y. – The Columbia wrestling team ended one of the nation's longest losing streaks on Saturday afternoon when the Lions upset No. 22 Cornell 22-21 at the Friedman Wrestling Center. It was Columbia's first win over the Big Red since February 7, 1986. The Lions wrapped up the day with a 24-15 win over Arizona State.
With Saturday's wins, Columbia improves to 8-3 in dual meets and has now won six in a row. In Ivy League action, the Lions are now 3-0. It is Columbia's first 3-0 start in Ivy League play since the 1980-81 season, when the Lions went 5-0 in conference play.
Against Cornell (5-6), the Lions won five bouts but ultimately won on criteria. Sulayman Bah got the momentum in the Lions' favor early at 125. Taking on No. 26 Greg Diakomihalis, Bah found himself down early, but countered with a quick escape and secured a pin to give the Lions a 6-0 lead.
Cornell rallied, winning four bouts in a row to take a commanding 18-6 lead after Jaxon Joy notched a win via technical fall over Richard Fedalen at 149.
Cesar Alvan once again kicked off a rally at 165. Alvan notched a 7-3 decision over Louie Cerchio to begin a 15-3 run by the Lions. At 184, Cornell's Christian Hansen was forced to medically forfeit, allowing the Lions to gain six critical points.
At 197, Jack Wehmeyer notched a 5-0 decision over Carson Crace to cut the deficit to 21-18. Vincent Mueller got the biggest win of the season, notching a win in overtime to tie the score up at 21-21. The Lions earned the extra point to win the match by final criteria, due to the Lions' two six-point wins.
In the nightcap against the Sun Devils, Columbia once again found itself trailing midway through the match. Bah got the Lions out front with a win via decision at 125, but ASU earned wins at 133, 141, 157 to go out front 12-8. Fedalen got a big win at 149, defeating Daniel Miranda via tech fall, 20-4.
Alvan improved to 2-0 on the day with an upset win over No. 12 Nico Ruiz. With Alvan leading 1-0 in the third, Ruiz chose the down position and notched an escape to tie the bout 1-1. In overtime, Alvan secured the win with a three-point takedown early.
Nick Fine kept the momentum with a 10-0 major decision victory over Cael Valencia at 174. Joe Curtis notched his 10th win via fall of the year, taking down Aziz Fayzullaev at 184. Wehmeyer secured the win with a 7-1 decision over Colton Hawks.
The Lions will return to action on Saturday, February 14, when Harvard comes to New York. The Lions and Crimson will wrestle in the Blue Gym, with the match slated to begin at noon.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Wrestling by following the Lions on X (@CULionsWR), Instagram (@culionswr) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
With Saturday's wins, Columbia improves to 8-3 in dual meets and has now won six in a row. In Ivy League action, the Lions are now 3-0. It is Columbia's first 3-0 start in Ivy League play since the 1980-81 season, when the Lions went 5-0 in conference play.
Against Cornell (5-6), the Lions won five bouts but ultimately won on criteria. Sulayman Bah got the momentum in the Lions' favor early at 125. Taking on No. 26 Greg Diakomihalis, Bah found himself down early, but countered with a quick escape and secured a pin to give the Lions a 6-0 lead.
Cornell rallied, winning four bouts in a row to take a commanding 18-6 lead after Jaxon Joy notched a win via technical fall over Richard Fedalen at 149.
Cesar Alvan once again kicked off a rally at 165. Alvan notched a 7-3 decision over Louie Cerchio to begin a 15-3 run by the Lions. At 184, Cornell's Christian Hansen was forced to medically forfeit, allowing the Lions to gain six critical points.
At 197, Jack Wehmeyer notched a 5-0 decision over Carson Crace to cut the deficit to 21-18. Vincent Mueller got the biggest win of the season, notching a win in overtime to tie the score up at 21-21. The Lions earned the extra point to win the match by final criteria, due to the Lions' two six-point wins.
In the nightcap against the Sun Devils, Columbia once again found itself trailing midway through the match. Bah got the Lions out front with a win via decision at 125, but ASU earned wins at 133, 141, 157 to go out front 12-8. Fedalen got a big win at 149, defeating Daniel Miranda via tech fall, 20-4.
Alvan improved to 2-0 on the day with an upset win over No. 12 Nico Ruiz. With Alvan leading 1-0 in the third, Ruiz chose the down position and notched an escape to tie the bout 1-1. In overtime, Alvan secured the win with a three-point takedown early.
Nick Fine kept the momentum with a 10-0 major decision victory over Cael Valencia at 174. Joe Curtis notched his 10th win via fall of the year, taking down Aziz Fayzullaev at 184. Wehmeyer secured the win with a 7-1 decision over Colton Hawks.
The Lions will return to action on Saturday, February 14, when Harvard comes to New York. The Lions and Crimson will wrestle in the Blue Gym, with the match slated to begin at noon.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Wrestling by following the Lions on X (@CULionsWR), Instagram (@culionswr) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
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Highlights: WR | Columbia at Hofstra
Sunday, November 16
Highlights: WR | Columbia 27, Brown 17
Sunday, February 16
Highlights: WR | Columbia 32, Harvard 8
Saturday, February 15
Highlights: WR | Columbia 20, Penn 24
Friday, January 24
