(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 3)- The McKendree University wrestling team started its 2012-13 season with a 27-9 win over Missouri Baptist on Saturday night.

The Bearcats improved to 1-0 in dual matches this season, and will travel to Warrensburg, Mo., on Sunday, Nov. 11 to compete in the University of Central Missouri Open. Matches begin at 10 a.m.

Sophomore Luis Alba (Kissimmee, Fla./Cypress Creek) put the Bearcats in front, 3-0, with a 13-8 decision win at 174 pounds over Andrew Carter-Johnson. The Spartans earned a win at 184 pounds to tie the match, 3-3, but a forfeit win by sophomore Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) at 197 pounds, followed by a 3-1 decision victory by sophomore heavyweight Ross Janney (Daleville, Ind./Yorktown) over Luis Contreras, put McKendree back in front 12-3.

Missouri Baptist cut the deficit in half, 12-6, with a decision win at 125 pounds, but junior Brenden Murphy (Palos Park, Ill./Marian Catholic) pinned Gabe Roman in 1:23 at 133 pounds to push the Bearcats out to a commanding 18-6 lead.

The Spartans picked up a decision win at 141 pounds to make the score 18-9, but McKendree closed the dual with three-straight wins to put the match away, 27-9. Junior Mark Marianovich (Chicago, Ill./Marian Catholic) earned a 7-4 decision win over Esmond Ford at 149 pounds, and sophomore Nick Haferkamp (Lincoln, Ill./Lincoln Community) edged Espen Conley in a 5-4 decision at 157 pounds to push the lead out to 24-9. Junior Isaiah Gonzalez (Montgomery, Ill./Montini Catholic) defeated Tyler Floyd, 4-3, at 165 pounds in the final match of the night to cap off the victory.

Dual Match Result
McKendree University - 27
Missouri Baptist University - 9

174-Luis Alba (Kissimmee, Fla./Cypress Creek) (McK) def. Andrew Carter-Johnson (MBU), Dec. 13-8  |  3-0
184- Weston Keleher (MBU) def. Andrew Krawulski (Lawrenceville, Ga./Collins Hill) (McK) , Dec. 3-2  |  3-3
197-Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) (McK) by forfeit  |  9-3
HWT-Ross Janney (Daleville, Ind./Yorktown) (McK) def. Luis Contreras (MBU), Dec. 3-1  |  12-3
125-Detereious Prayther (MBU) def. Tyler Orr (Mattoon, Ill./Mattoon) (McK) , Dec. 11-6  |  12-6
133-Brenden Murphy (Palos Park, Ill./Marian Catholic) (McK) pinned Gabe Roman (MBU), Fall 1:23  |  18-6
141-Chris Padilla (MBU) def. Dylon Viglasky (Belleville, Ill./Belleville West) (McK), Dec. 5-3  |  18-9
149-Mark Marianovich (Chicago, Ill./Marian Catholic) (McK) def. Esmond Ford (MBU), Dec. 7-4  |  21-9
157-Nick Haferkamp (Lincoln, Ill./Lincoln Community) (McK) def. Espen Conley (MBU), Dec. 5-4  |  24-9
165-Isaiah Gonzalez (Montgomery, Ill./Montini Catholic) (McK) def. Tyler Floyd (MBU), Dec. 4-3  |  27-9