(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 18)- The McKendree University wrestling team overcame an early six-point deficit and rallied to a 19-17 win over No. 16 University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

The Bearcats, who received votes in the NCAA Division II Preseason Poll, improve to 1-0 overall and will travel to Saint Charles, Mo., on Saturday, Nov. 21 to compete at the Joe Parisi Open hosted by Lindenwood University.

McKendree fell behind 6-0 after losing the first two matches of the dual, but cut the deficit to 6-3 following an 8-2 decision win by junior Coltyn Pease (Pittsfield, Ill., Pittsfield) over Matt Halverson in the heavyweight match. The Rangers pushed their lead out to 9-3 following a loss at 125 pounds, but the Bearcats won four-straight matches at 133, 141, 149, and 157 pounds. Third-ranked sophomore Darren Wynn (Champaign, Ill., Centennial) and junior Kevin Cooper (Morning View, Ky., Simon Kenton) both earned bonus points for McKendree in the span. Wynn pinned Robert Uttecht in 40-seconds at 141 pounds and Cooper earned a 12-1 major decision over Brandt Welcher at 157 pounds.

The Rangers won their final two matches, but were unable to overcome the deficit to end the dual 19-17.

Match-By-Match Results
#RV McKendree University 19
#16 University of Wisconsin-Parkside 17

184: James Lehman (WIPA) over Andrew Krawulski (McK) (Dec 11-6)
197: Josh Anthony (WIPA) over Luke Diener (McK) (Dec 3-0)
285: Coltyn Pease (McK) over Matt Halverson (WIPA) (Dec 8-2)
125: Ronzel Darling (WIPA) over Nick Lukanich (McK) (Dec 5-2)
133: Weston Basler (McK) over Pernevellon Shepperd (WIPA) (Dec 3-2)
141: Darren Wynn (McK) over Robert Uttecht (WIPA) (Fall 0:40)
149: Mech Spraggins Jr. (McK) over Frank Yatonni (WIPA) (Dec 8-3)
157: Kevin Cooper (McK) over Brandt Welcher (WIPA) (MD 12-1)
165: Nick Fishback (WIPA) over Qian'te Wagner (McK) (TF 17-1 3:25)
174: Nick Becker (WIPA) over J.J. Filipek (McK) (Dec 8-1)