(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 23)- The McKendree University wrestling team learned their upset of then-No. 2 Campbellsville University (Ky.) last week earned some national attention on Tuesday with a two-spot jump to No. 2 in the NAIA rankings. The Bearcats validated the ranking on Tuesday night with a 19-16 win over No. 4 Missouri Valley College.

McKendree will travel to Great Falls, Mont. on December 3rd to compete in the Battle of the Rockies Duals at the University of Great Falls. The Bearcats will face-off with No. 14 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and California Baptist University at the event.

McKendree started off in a six point hole due to a forfeit loss at 125 pounds, but won five consecutive matches to take a 10 point lead. Senior Wade Lowe (Godfrey, Ill., Alton) earned a 8-3 decision over Wesley Dallas to cut the deficit in half, and junior Kyle Williams (Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Mascoutah) gave the Bearcats a 7-6 lead after a 9-0 major decision victory over Jesse Knott. Senior Ryan Jahn (Bolingbrook, Ill., Bolingbrook) defeated Shay Shive, 10-3, in a battle between the NAIA's No. 5 and No. 7 ranked wrestlers, respectively, at 149 pounds to extend McKendree's lead to 10-6 and freshman Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill., Triad) upset No. 11 D.W. Bradshaw in a 8-6 decision at 157 pounds to push the lead out to a seven point margin, 13-6. Sophomore Isaiah Gonzalez (Montgomery, Ill., Montini Catholic) earned a close decision over Brandon Perkins, 7-6, to give the Bearcats the 10-point advantage.

The visiting Vikings bounced right back and made things interesting with two consecutive decision wins at 174 and 184 pounds, and a major decision win by Missouri Valley at 197 pounds tied the match 16-16 with one match remaining. Senior Andrew Sanchez (Shiloh, Ill., O'Fallon), ranked No. 2 in the NAIA at 197 pounds, wrestled up a class and faced the NAIA's No. 2 heavyweight Travis Ewart in the deciding match of the night. Sanchez earned three early takedowns and earned a 8-1 decision win that electrified the crowd and gave McKendree the slim 19-16 win.


125 - Paul Hansen (MVC) Forfeit (0-6)
133 - Wade Lowe (Godfrey, Ill./Alton) (McK) DEC Wesley Dallas (MVC) 8 - 3 (3-6)
141 - Kyle Williams (Scott Air Force Base, Ill./Mascoutah) (McK) MD Jesse Knott (MVC) 9 - 0 (7-6)
149 - Ryan Jahn (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) (McK) DEC Shay Shive (MVC) 10 - 3 (10-6)
157 - Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad) (McK) DEC Donald Bradshaw (MVC) 8 - 6 (13-6)
165 - Isaiah Gonzalez (Montgomery, Ill./Montini Catholic) (McK) DEC Brandon Perkins (MVC) 7 - 6 (16-6)
174 - Preston McKinney (MVC) DEC John Vogt (Festus, Mo./Ste. Genevieve) (McK) 7 - 4 (16-9)
184 - Jesse Alter (MVC) DEC Kyle Reid (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) (McK) 4 - 3 (16-12)
197 - Charlie Gibbs (MVC) MD Tanner Wolk (Ste. Genevieve, Mo./Ste. Genevieve) (McK) 9 - 1 (16-16)
285 - Andrew Sanchez (Shiloh, Ill./O'Fallon) (McK) DEC Travis Ewart (MVC) 8 - 1 (19-16)