(LEBANON, Ill. – Jan. 20) – The No.5 McKendree University men's wrestling team improved to 3-1 overall after defeating University of Central Missouri, Wednesday evening. The Bearcats dominated a majority of the weight classes for a final score of 48-3.

Zeke came back in the second match of the night to get McKendree back even with Central Missouri. Back-to-back pin victories in the 184-lb and 197-lb classes sparked the Bearcats and put them in a comfortable position ahead of the Mules. From there, the Bearcats ran with the lead, and finished with a score of 48-3. Three exhibition matches were held at the end of the dual, to give both teams extra competition reps.

No.5 McKendree 48, Central Missouri 3
157 – John Ridle defeated Josh Ramos (Plainfield, IL/Providence Catholic) in a 7-2 decision (McK 0, UCM 3)
165 – Zeke Waltz (Jerseyville, IL/Jersey Community) defeated Austin Morgan in a 5-2 decision (McK 3, UCM 3)
174 – Max Rinklin (Manchester, MO/Parkway South) defeated Zion Vazquez in a 7-1 decision (McK 6, UCM 3)
184 – No.6 Daniel Filipek (Warrenton, MO/Warrenton) defeated Jack Goin by fall at 4:47 (McK 12, UCM 3)
197 – No.1 Ryan Vasbinder (Wyoming, MI/Grandville) defeated Joe Brady by fall at 1:08 (McK 18, UCM 3)
HWT – Ian Kuehl (Lena, IL/Lena-Winslow) took the match unopposed (McK 24, UCM 3)
125 – Christian Mejia (Elkhart, IN/Elkhart Memorial) defeated Trevor Wishne by fall at 2:57 (McK 30, UCM 3)
133 – Brody Norman (Washington, IL/Washington Community) took the match unopposed (McK 36, UCM 3)
141 – Joey Semerad (Monett,MO/Monett) took the match unopposed (McK 42, UCM 3)
149 – Nathan Callaway (Oswego, IL/Marmion Academy) (Oswego, IL/Marmion Academy) took the match unopposed (McK 48, UCM 3)

Exhibition matches:
Emmett Kuntz defeated Nathan Callaway (Oswego, IL/Marmion Academy) (Oswego, IL/Marmion Academy) in a 5-4 decision. Zeke Waltz (Jerseyville, IL/Jersey Community) defeated Cole Hatfield by fall at 3:50. Wes Bockert (Fairbanks, AL/Lathrop) defeated Bryce Faworski in a 12-4 decision.

James Kisgen's team will be back in action on Sunday, Jan. 24 in Grand Rapids, Mich. The Bearcats are set to dual Davenport and GLVC rival No.11 Indianapolis.