(WARRENSBURG, Mo., Jan. 9)- The No. 13 McKendree University wrestling team remained perfect in dual matches this season following a 31-6 win at University of Central Missouri.

The Bearcats improved to 5-0 overall and will travel to St. Charles, Mo., on Wednesday, January 15 to face Lindenwood University in a dual match at 7 p.m.

McKendree jumped out to a 12-0 lead early following forfeit and pinfall wins at 125 and 133 pounds. Junior Jose Torres (Cicero, Ill./Morton East) earned the forfeit victory and senior Brenden Murphy (Palos Park, Ill./Marian Catholic) followed by pinning Hunter Neighbors in 3:20.

The Mules cut their deficit in half after back-to-back decision wins at 141 and 149 pounds, but the Bearcats didn't surrender another match in the dual to cruise to the win.

Junior Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad), ranked No. 7 in NCAA II, picked up a 13-2 major decision win over Brennan Johnson at 157 pounds to extend the lead to 16-6 and junior Nick Haferkamp (Lincoln, Ill./Lincoln Community) picked up a 12-5 decision win over Josh Thomson at 165 pounds to jump out to a 19-6 advantage.

Sophomore Cody Willis (Clinton, Ill./Clinton) defeated Mike Boyd by decision, 7-1, at 174 pounds and junior John Vogt (Festus, Mo./Ste. Genevieve) earned a 10-4 decision win over Josh Ploof at 184 pounds. Junior Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central), ranked No. 6 in NCAA II, and junior heavyweight Ross Janney (Daleville, Ind./Yorktown) closed out the victory with 6-2 and 2-1 wins over Todd Brier and Jacob Clark, respectively.

Dual Match Result
No. 13 McKendree University - 31
University of Central Missouri - 6

125- Jose Torres (McK) wins by forfeit, McK 6-0
133- Brenden Murphy (McK) pinned Hunter Neighbors (UCM) 3:20, McK 12-0
141- Eric Mateo (UCM) dec. Ryan Strope (McK), 4-1, McK 12-3
149- No. 3 Frank Cagnia (UCM) dec. Kyle Williams (McK), 4-2, McK 12-6
157- No. 7 Josh Ballard (McK) major dec. Brennan Johnson (UCM) 13-2, McK 16-6
165- Nick Haferkamp (McK) dec. Josh Thomson (UCM) 12-5, McK 19-6
174- Cody Willis (McK) dec. Mike Boyd (UCM) 7-1, McK 22-6
184- John Vogt (McK) dec. Josh Ploof (UCM) 10-4, McK 25-6
197- No. 6 Julian Smith (McK) dec. Todd Brier (UCM) 6-2, McK 28-6
HWT- Ross Janney (McK) dec. Jacob Clark (UCM) 2-1, McK 31-6