(ST. LOUIS, Mo., February 12)- The No. 4 McKendree University wrestling team posted its 15th dual meet victory of the season on Saturday with a 32-9 route over Missouri Baptist University.

The Bearcats will travel to St. Charles, Mo., on Saturday to begin postseason competition at the NAIA East Region Qualifying tournament hosted by Lindenwood University. Matches are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Sophomore Tyler Orr (Mattoon, Ill., Mattoon) put McKendree in front immediately, 3-0, with a 9-2 decision win over Andrew Angelbeck at 125 pounds. The Spartans took a brief 6-3 lead with a forfeit win at 133 pounds, but senior Wade Lowe (Godfrey, Ill., Alton) made his return to the mat after a month long hiatus due to injury to soundly defeat Matt Salzer in a tech fall, 23-7, at 141 pounds to start a streak of seven straight wins. Senior Ryan Jahn (Bolingbrook, Ill., Bolingbrook), ranked No. 5 at 149 pounds, earned a 4-0 decision win over Jacob Waterkotte and freshman Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill., Triad) won a slim decision over Jeff Shell, 5-3, at 157 pounds to give McKendree a 14-6 advantage at the halfway point. Sophomore Isaiah Gonzalez (Montgomery, Ill., Montini Catholic), ranked No. 11 at 165 pounds, won a 7-2 decision over Josh Kelleher to push the lead to double digits, 17-6, and sophomore Kyle Hanner (Wood River, Ill., East Alton-Wood River) earned the days only pinfall victory over Meldrick Woods at 174 pounds in 2:08 to push the lead out to 23-6. Senior Tanner Wolk (Ste. Genevieve, Mo., Ste. Genevieve), ranked No. 3 at 184 pounds, put the Bearcats out in front by 21, 27-6, with a major decision win over Clayton Olsson, 14-2, and top-ranked 197 pound senior Andrew Sanchez (Shiloh, Ill., O'Fallon) earned a 26-10 tech fall win over Dutch Fullerton extended McKendree's lead to 32-6. A decision loss at heavyweight was inconsequential for the Bearcats in a 32-9 victory.

McKendree 32, Missouri Baptist 9

125 - Tyler Orr (Mattoon, Ill./Mattoon) (McK) Dec. Andrew Angelbeck (MBU), 9-2
133 - Anton Prater (MBU) by Forfeit
141 - Wade Lowe (Godfrey, Ill./Alton) (McK) Tech Fall Matt Salzer (MBU), 23-7
149 - Ryan Jahn (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) (McK) Dec. Jacob Waterkotte (MBU), 4-0
157 - Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad) (McK) Dec. Jeff Shell (MBU), 5-3
165 - Isaiah Gonzalez (Montgomery, Ill./Montini Catholic) (McK) Dec. Josh Kellefer (MBU), 7-2
174 - Kyle Hanner (Wood River, Ill./East Alton-Wood River) (McK) pinned Meldrick Woods (MBU), 2:08
184 - Tanner Wolk (Ste. Genevieve, Mo./Ste. Genevieve) (McK) Maj. Dec. Clayton Olsson (MBU), 14-2
197 - Andrew Sanchez (Shiloh, Ill./O'Fallon) (McK) Tech. Fall Dutch Fullerton (MBU), 26-10
285 - Joe Kent (MBU) Dec. Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) (McK), 5-1