(FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 8)- The McKendree University wrestling team lost its first two dual matches of the season on Friday at the National Wrestling Coaches Association Nationals Duals held in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Bearcats fall to 5-2 overall and will compete at the Ranger Duals hosted by University of Wisconsin-Parkside on Jan. 16., in Somers, Wis.

In its opening match of the day, McKendree gave up bonus points in four matches, and lost four matches by two points or less in a 41-0 loss to No. 7 University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. The Bearcats lost the first two matches by fall to trail 12-0 early, and had it best chance to recover in the middle of the lineup, but lost lost three-straight matches by decision by a combined four points to trail 21-0 at the midway point. A tech fall loss at 165 put things out of reach in the dual to drop McKendree into the consolation bracket.

The Bearcats were in the lead for the majority of its second match of the day, but lost the final three matches to fall to No. 12 Tiffin University 21-18. McKendree lost its opening match to fall behind 3-0, but won its next three matches to take a 12-3 lead. Sophomore NaQuan Hardy (Romeoville, Ill., Romeoville) earned a 17-2 tech fall win over Lawrence Blackfull at 133 pounds, and fellow sophomores Darren Wynn (Champaign, Ill., Centennial) and Mech Spraggins Jr. (Belleville, Ill., Belleville West High School) followed with a major decision and decision, respectively, to put the Bearcats in front. Freshman Qian'te Wagner (Alton, Ill., Alton) and sophomore J.J. Filipek (Warrenton, Mo., Warrenton) both posted decision win at 165 and 174 pounds, respectively, but the Dragons closed out the dual with three-straight wins to eliminate the Bearcats from the competition.

McKendree did wrestle University of Central Missouri in an extra match on Saturday evening and won the first five matches of the dual to roll to a 28-15 win. Following a forfeit win at 125 pounds, sophomore Andrew Rettke (Washington, Ill., Washington Community) earned an 8-5 decision at 133 pounds, and Wynn followed with a 23-5 tech fall victory at 141 pounds. Spraggins and freshman Isaiah Kemper (Evansville, Ind., Central) went on to posted back-to-back decision wins at 149 and 157 pounds to build a 20-0 lead. Filipek and junior Coltyn Pease (Pittsfield, Ill., Pittsfield) both posted major decision wins at 174 pounds and at heavyweight to earn the dual win.

Match-By-Match Results
#RV McKendree University - 0
#7 University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown - 41

125- Evan Link (UPJ) pinned Nick Lukanich (McK), Fall 4:10 | 0-6
133- Nick Roberts (UPJ) pinned NaQuan Hardy (McK), Fall 2:16 | 0-12
141- Sam Hanau (UPJ) def. Darren Wynn (McK), Dec. 7-5 | 0-15
149- Travis Shaffer (UPJ) def. Mech Spraggins Jr. (McK), Dec. 2-1 | 0-18
157- Devin Austin def. Isaiah Kemper (McK), Dec. 3-2 | 0-21
165- Tyler Reinhart (UPJ) def. Qian'te Wagner (McK), TF 17-2 | 0-26
174- John Blakenship (UPJ) def. J.J. Filipek (McK), Dec. 2-1 | 0-29
184- Travis McKillop (UPJ) pinned Cody Willis (McK), Fall 0:30 | 0-35
197- Jacob Hart (UPJ) def. Luke Diener (McK), Dec. 10-4 | 0-38
HWT- Damon Sims (UPJ) def. Coltyn Pease (McK), Dec. 7-3 | 0-41

Match-By-Match Results
#RV McKendree University - 18
#12 Tiffin University - 21

125- Giuseppe Penzone (TU) def. Nick Lukanich (McK), Dec. 5-4 | 0-3
133- NaQuan Hardy (McK) def. Lawrence Blackfull (TU), TF 17-2 | 5-3
141- Darren Wynn (McK) def. Travis Salyer (TU), MD 9-1 | 9-3
149- Mech Spraggins Jr. (McK) def. Michael Screptock (TU), Dec. 3-2 | 12-3
157- Sam Viengmany (TU) def. Isaiah Kemper (McK), Dec. 3-1 | 12-6
165- Qian'te Wagner (McK) def. Jett Hurt (TU), Dec. 4-3 | 15-6
174- J.J. Filipek (McK) def. Christopher Baker (TU), Dec. 11-6 | 18-6
184- Jared Chambers (TU) def. Cody Willis (McK), Dec. 8-2 | 18-9
197- Jacob Cramer (TU) pinned Luke Diener (McK), Fall 2:25 | 18-15
HWT- Garrett Grey (TU) pinned Coltyn Pease (McK), Fall 2:20 | 18-21

Match-By-Match Results
#RV McKendree University - 28
#RV University of Central Missouri - 15

125- Nick Lukanich (McK) by forfeit | 6-0
133- Andrew Rettke (McK) def. Daide Agnew (UCM), Dec. 8-5 | 9-0
141- Darren Wynn (McK) def. Caleb Crabtree (UCM), TF 23-5 - 13-0
149- Mech Spraggins Jr. (McK) def. Steffon Fassett (UCM), Dec. 4-2 | 17-0
157- Isaiah Kemper (McK) def. Tyler Horton (UCM), Dec. 9-4 | 20-0
165- Allan Person (UCM) def. Aaron Batchelder (McK), Dec. 9-2 | 20-3
174- J.J. Filipek (McK) def. Archie Williams (UCM), MD 14-5 | 24-3
184- Tyler Loethen (UCM) pinned Cody Willis (McK), Fall 0:48 | 24-9
197- Robert Schneider (UCM) pinned Luke Diener (McK), Fall 1:28 | 24-15
HWT- Coltyn Pease (McK) def. Nick Lovejoy (UCM), MD 10-1 | 28-15