(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 1)- The McKendree University wrestling team won eight of its 10 matches on Friday to roll to a 35-6 win in its season opener over Missouri Baptist University.

The Bearcats improved to 1-0 overall and will travel to Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday, Nov. 8 to compete at the Loras College Open at 9:30 a.m.

After dropping the first match of the night by decision, McKendree went on to win its next five matches. Junior Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad) earned an 8-4 decision win over Matt Behr at 157 pounds to tie up the dual, 3-3, and junior Nick Haferkamp (Lincoln, Ill./Lincoln Community) picked up a major decision victory, 20-6, over Mike Rogers at 165 pounds to take a 7-3 lead.

Junior Luis Alba (Kissimmee, Fla./Cypress Creek) earned a forfeit win at 174 pounds to push the Bearcats out to a 13-3 lead and junior John Vogt (Festus, Mo./Ste. Genevieve) pinned Weston Keleher in 2:20 to extend the lead out to 19-3. Junior Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central), ranked No. 8 at 197 pounds in NCAA Division II, defeated Lucas Keene by injury default to give McKendree a 25-3 lead.

A decision loss at heavyweight in overtime cut the lead to 25-6, but the Bearcats picked up wins in its final three matches to cruise to the win. Junior Jose Torres (Cicero, Ill./Morton East) earned a 9-5 win over Demarcus Gurlly at 125 pounds that extended the lead out to 28-6, and senior Brenden Murphy (Palos Park, Ill./Marian Catholic) held Chris Padilla scoreless in a 5-0 win at 133 pounds to lead 31-6. Senior DaMonte Riley (Chicago Heights, Ill./Marian Catholic) closed out the dual in his McKendree debut with a 14-1 major decision win over Esmond Ford to end the meet 35-6.


Dual Match Result
McKendree University - 35
Missouri Baptist University - 6

149- Espen Conley (MBU) dec. Kyle Williams (Scott Air Force Base, Ill./Mascoutah) (McK), 6-3 | 0-3
157- Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad) (McK) dec. Matt Behr (MBU), 8-4 | 3-3
165- Nick Haferkamp (Lincoln, Ill./Lincoln Community) (McK) maj. dec. Mike Rogers (MBU), 20-6 | 7-3
174- Luis Alba (Kissimmee, Fla./Cypress Creek) (McK) by Forfeit | 13-3
184- John Vogt (Festus, Mo./Ste. Genevieve) (McK) pinned Weston Keleher (MBU), Fall 2:20 | 19-3
197- Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) (McK) inj. default Lucas Keene (MBU), inj. def. | 25-3
HWT- Julius Anglikas (MBU) dec. Ross Janney (Daleville, Ind./Yorktown) (McK), 4-2 OT | 25-6
125- Jose Torres (Cicero, Ill./Morton East) (McK) dec. Demarcus Gurlly (MBU), 9-5 | 28-6
133- Brenden Murphy (Palos Park, Ill./Marian Catholic) (McK) dec. Chris Padilla (MBU), 5-0 | 31-6
141- DaMonte Riley (Chicago Heights, Ill./Marian Catholic) (McK) maj. dec. Esmond Ford (MBU), 14-1 | 35-6