WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – With postseason competition on the horizon, Thursday offered the Missouri Baptist men's wrestling team an opportunity to familiarize itself with two separate American Midwest Conference (AMC) opponents. The Spartans split the double dual in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas defeating Central Baptist College, 36-18, before losing a close one to host (RV) Williams Baptist University, 31-24.
 
Three Spartans earned a pair of victories including freshmen Anthony Averiette and Owen Braungardt, and junior Steven Weathers.
 
Missouri Baptist University 36, Central Baptist College 18 [RESULTS]
With 24 points awarded right from the start due to default wins at the 125-, 141-, 165- and 174-pound weight classes, the Spartans were in a position to wrap things up quickly. Despite losing at 133, the Spartans rattled off back-to-back pins by Anthony Averiette (5:10) and Steven Weathers (2:54). The last contested match was another victory by fall for Missouri Baptist as Owen Braungardt pinned Dewayne Jennings in 1 minute, 25 seconds.
 
(RV) Williams Baptist University 31, Missouri Baptist University 24 [RESULTS]
In the second dual of the afternoon, the Spartans once again got off to an early lead thanks to open weight classes at 125 (Cameron Steinhoff) and 133 (Jonathan Cochrum). Anthony Averiette picked up his second pin of the day defeating William Baptist's Alzarius Boykins.
 
At 157 pounds, Steven Weathers edged out Eagle wrestler Nicholas Drendel in a 12-11 decision to give the Spartans an 18-9 lead. However, that nine-point margin quickly faded with WBU winning four of the last five matches. The lone win for Missouri Baptist in that stretch was Owen Braungardt who snagged a pin with six second remaining in the third period.