(GREAT FALLS, Mont., Dec. 3)- The No. 2 McKendree University wrestling team came back from an early eight point deficit to defeat No. 3 University of Great Falls (Mont.), 20-18, in the marquee match up at the Battle of the Rockies Duals in Great Falls, Mont.

The Bearcats improved to 9-1 overall and will compete in the Battle of the Rockies Open on December 4th at 10 a.m. (MST).

McKendree trailed by six after a forfeit at 125 pounds, but a major decision win by senior Wade Lowe (Godfrey, Ill., Alton) at 133 pounds, 12-4, over Luis Carranza cut the deficit to 6-4. A loss by pinfall at 141 pounds gave the Argos a 12-4 lead, but a decision win by No. 5 Ryan Jahn (Bolingbrook, Ill., Bolingbrook) over No. 6 Anthony Varnell made it 12-7, before a upset major decision victory by freshman Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill., Triad) over No. 5 Michael Hader at 157 pounds put the Bearcats within one, 12-11. Following a decision loss at 165 pounds, sophomore John Vogt (Festus, Mo., Ste. Genevieve) earned a 13-6 decision win at 174 pounds to bring McKendree back within one, 15-14, but another decision loss by the Bearcats at 184 pounds put the Argos up 18-14 with two matches remaining. A decision win by senior Tanner Wolk (Ste. Genevieve, Mo., Ste. Genevieve), 7-3, over Levi Morgan brought McKendree back within one, 18-17, and a 3-2 decision win by senior Andrew Sanchez (Shiloh, Ill., O'Fallon) clinched the win for the Bearcats 20-18.

No. 2 McKENDREE 20, No. 3 Great Falls 18

125 - Akmal Adilov (UGF) by Forfeit (McK)
133 - Wade Lowe (Godfrey, Ill./Alton) (McK) maj. dec. Luis Carranza (UGF) 12 - 4
141 - Myles Mazurkiewicz (UGF) pinned Kyle Williams (Scott Air Force Base, Ill./Mascoutah) (McK) (6:49)
149 - Ryan Jahn (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) (McK) dec. Anthony Varnell (UGF) 8 - 2
157 - Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad) (McK) maj. dec. Michael Hader (UGF) 18 - 10
165 - Ross Mosher (UGF) dec. Isaiah Gonzalez (Montgomery, Ill./Montini Catholic) (McK) 8 - 6
174 - John Vogt (Festus, Mo./Ste. Genevieve) (McK) dec. Noah Hatton (UGF) 13 - 6
184 - Michael French (UGF) dec. Kyle Reid (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) (McK) 3 - 1
197 - Tanner Wolk (Ste. Genevieve, Mo./Ste. Genevieve) (McK) dec. Levi Morgan (UGF) 7 - 3
285 - Andrew Sanchez (Shiloh, Ill./O'Fallon) (McK) dec. Juan Enriquez (UGF) 3 - 2