(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 9)- The McKendree University wrestling team won its first dual meet of the season on Wednesday with a 22-15 victory over Missouri Baptist University.

The Bearcats improve to 1-0 overall this season and have won their past six dual matches going back to January 8th of last season. McKendree will return to the mat on Sunday, November 13th at the University of Central Missouri Open in Warrensburg, Mo., with matches set to begin at 10 a.m.

Redshirt freshman heavyweight Ross Janney (Daleville, Ind./Yorktown) opened up the dual with a 4-2 decision victory to give McKendree an early 3-0 lead, but the Bearcats lost their next four matches, including one loss by fall, to trail 15-3 halfway through.

Sophomore Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad) earned a 2-0 decision over Robert Nickson at 157 pounds to cut the deficit to 15-6, and a forfeit win at 165 pounds by freshman Tim Gilbert (St. Mary's, Ga./Camden County) put the Bearcats right back in the hunt, but still trailing 15-12.

Redshirt freshman Luis Alba (Kissimmee, Fla./Cypress Creek) defeated Thomas Carter by decision, 6-3, to tie the match, 15-15, and junior Kyle Reid (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) followed with a major decision win over A.J. Carter at 184 pounds, 19-6, to retake the lead 19-15.

Junior Andrew Davis (Loves Park, Ill./Harlem) sealed the victory with a 8-2 decision win at 197 pounds over Lucas Keene to end the dual by the score of 22-15.

Dual Meet Results
McKendree 22, Missouri Baptist 15

HWT- Ross Janney (Daleville, Ind./Yorktown) (McK) def. Joe Kent (MBU), Dec. 4-2 OT
125- Efrain Aguilar (MBU) pinned Tyler Orr (Mattoon, Ill./Mattoon) (McK), Fall  3:26
133- Esmond Ford (MBU) def. Dylan Viglasky (McK), Dec. 10-7
141- Tyler Holloway (MBU) def. Kyle Black (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) (McK), Dec. 8-2
149- Martin Rubalcaba (MBU) def. Devon Patterson (McK), Dec. 10-5
157- Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad) (McK) def. Robert Nickson (MBU), Dec. 2-0
165- Tim Gilbert (St. Mary's, Ga./Camden County) (McK) by forfeit
174- Luis Alba (Kissimmee, Fla./Cypress Creek) (McK) def. Thomas Connor (MBU), Dec. 6-3
184- Kyle Reid (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) (McK) def. A.J. Carter (MBU), Maj. Dec. 19-6
197- Andrew Davis (Loves Park, Ill./Harlem) (McK) def. Lucas Keene (MBU), Dec. 8-2