(Lebanon, Ill., Oct. 6) – The McKendree University men's wrestling opened the 2016 season with a 21-19 loss to the University of Central Oklahoma. The Bearcats are now 0-1 on the 2016 campaign.

Central Oklahoma jumped out to an early lead as Zac D'Amico won a 3-1 decision over Weston Basler (Imperial, Mo./Seckman) to put the Bronchos ahead 3-0 in the dual.

McKendree would go on to win the next four matches. NaQuan Hardy (Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville) got the Bearcats on the board as he pinned Aaron Hane 1:13 minutes into his match scoring McKendree six points. Darren Wynn (Champaign, Ill./Centennial) would win his match at major decision collecting four points for the Bearcats. Isaiah Kemper (Evansville, Ind./Central) and Ryan Strope (Westphalia, Mo./Fatima) would win their matches at decision collecting three points.

Heading into the last five matches of the dual McKendree held a 16-3 lead over Central Oklahoma.

In the eighth match of the ten match dual, J.J Filipek would win his match 11-5 increasing the Bearcat led to 19-12.

In the final match of the dual Caleb Cotter would pin Coltyn Pease (Pittsfield, Ill./Pittsfield) for six points to seal Central Oklahoma's victory.

McKendree is back in action Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Kaufman Brand Open in St. Louis, Missouri. Tournament action begins at 9:00 a.m.
 
Match-by-Match Results
McKendree University – 19
University of Central Oklahoma – 21
 
125- Zac D'Amico (UCO) def. Weston Basler (Imperial, Mo./Seckman) (McK) Dec. 3-1 | 0-3
133 – NaQuan Hardy (Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville) (McK) pinned Aaron Hane (UCO) Fall 1:47 | 6-3
141 – Darren Wynn (Champaign, Ill./Centennial) (McK) def. Tyler Tustin (UCO) Major Dec. 15-6 | 10-3
149 – Isaiah Kemper (Evansville, Ind./Central) (McK) def. Will Steltzlen (UCO) Dec. 3-1 | 13-3
157 – Ryan Strope (Westphalia, Mo./Fatima) (McK) def.  Bryan Dutton (UCO) Dec. 6-2 | 16-3
165 –  Mason Thompson (UCO) def. Tanner Anthony (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) (McK) TF 18-9 | 16-8
174 – Miguel Barreras (UCO) def. Nick Foster (Belleville, IL) (McK) Major Dec. 10-2 | 16-12
184 – J.J. Filipek (Warrenton, Mo./Warrenton) (McK) def. Caleb Hawes (UCO) Dec. 11-5 | 19-12
197 – Greg Wilson (UCO) def. Luke Diener (Saint Peters, Mo./Francis Howell Central) (McK) Dec. 7-2 | 19-15
285 – Caleb Cotter (UCO) pinned Coltyn Pease (Pittsfield, Ill./Pittsfield) (McK) Fall 1:50| 19-21