(FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 10)- The No. 6 McKendree University men's wrestling team split its two matches on Saturday to finish in sixth place at the NWCA National Duals in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Bearcats will return home for a dual match against No. 10 Lindenwood University on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.

McKendree won its last three matches and scored bonus points in two of those wins to edge No. 11 University of Central Oklahoma, 17-16, in the consolation semifinals. Trailing 16-6 after 174 pounds, senior John Vogt (Festus, Mo., Ste. Genevieve) earned a 12-3 major decision win over Caleb Hawes at 184 to cut the deficit to 16-10, and senior Julian Smith (Florissant, Mo., Hazelwood Central) followed with a 12-2 major decision at 197 pounds over Michael Conner to make the score 16-14 heading into the final match. Freshman Coltyn Pease (Pittsfield, Ill., Pittsfield) won a 3-0 decision over Kyle Factor at heavyweight to give the Bearcats the 17-16 comeback win. The victory over Central Oklahoma was McKendree's first in program history over the Bronchos.

In the fifth place match against No. 5 Mercyhurst University, the Bearcats were unable to stirng together key victories when they were needed most to fall 23-15. Sophomores Ryan Strope (Westphalia, Mo., Fatima), Darren Wynn (Champaign, Ill., Centennial), and seniors Nick Haferkamp (Lincoln, Ill., Lincoln Community), Vogt, and Smith all had decision wins in the loss.

Match-By-Match Results
No. 6 McKendree University - 17
No. 11 University of Central Oklahoma - 16

125- Zach D'Amico (UCO) def. Steve Murphy (McK), Dec. 7-0 | 0-3
133- Dustin Reed (UCO) def. Ryan Strope (McK), Dec. 5-2 | 0-6
141- Darren Wynn (McK) def. Will Steltzen (UCO), Dec. 6-2 | 3-6
149- Spencer Rutherford (UCO) def. Trent Williams (McK), MD 12-3 | 3-10
157- Josh Ballard (McK) def. Jeromy Davenport (UCO), Dec. 6-2 | 6-10
165- Chris Watson (UCO) def. Nick Haferkamp (McK), Dec. 10-3 | 6-13
174- Dylan Harmon (UCO) def. Andrew Krawulski (McK), Dec. 6-3 | 6-16
184- John Vogt (McK) def. Caleb Hawes (UCO), MD 12-3 | 10-16
197- Julian Smith (McK) def. Michael Conner (UCO), MD 12-2 | 14-16
HWT- Coltyn Pease (McK) def. Kyle Factor (UCO), Dec. 3-0 | 17-16

Match-By-Match Results
No. 6 McKendree University - 15
No. 5 Mercyhurst University - 23

125- Willie Bohince (MU) def. Steve Murphy (McK) def. TF, 18-0 | 0-5
133- Ryan Strope (McK) def. Joel Bowers (MU), Dec. 11-4 | 3-5
141- Darren Wynn (McK) def. Kody Young (MU), Dec. 7-2 | 6-5
149- Jeremy Landowski (MU) def. Trent Williams (McK), Dec. 5-0 | 6-8
157- Francis Mizia (MU) def. Josh Ballard (McK), Dec. 12-7 | 6-11
165- Nick Haferkamp (McK) def. Angelo Bortoluzzi (MU), Dec. 8-5 | 9-11
174- August Mizia (MU) pinned Andrew Krawulski (McK), Fall 5:47 | 9-17
184- John Vogt (McK) def. Dakota DesLauriers (MU), Dec. 9-5 | 12-17
197- Julian Smith (McK) def. Brian Beattie, Dec. 8-1 | 15-17
HWT- Andy Welton (MU) pinned Coltyn Pease (McK), Fall 1:15 | 15-23