BATESVILLE, Ark. – The Missouri Baptist Spartans Men's Wrestling program continued its strong rebound under the direction of first-year head coach Caleb McElfresh on Saturday, compiling an impressive 3-1 record in the combined AMC/SAC Duals. The Spartans started the day with a historic win over Williams Baptist University, 30-20. They continued their momentum with a 26-18 defeat of Central Baptist College. The third dual of the day was the only loss, 39-6 to Oklahoma City University. The Spartans rebounded by finishing the day of duals with a 38-18 win over host Lyon College.
Missouri Baptist University 30, Williams Baptist University 20
The first dual for MBU started with the two teams trading forfeits at 125 and 133 pounds respectively. The first wrestling action of the day was at 141 pounds and was one that is turning into a rivalry. MBU's
ET Rodgers was able to avenge a loss from two weeks ago against WBU's Isaiah Vizcarrondo. Rodgers won it 8-6 with a takedown in sudden victory. Vizcarrondo was a national qualifier a year ago.
Joel Campbell got the other Spartan decision at 157. Still the Spartans trailed 20-14 following the matches at 174. But back-to-back wins by fall for
Hunter Atwell at 184 and
Logan Neumann at 197, coupled with a forfeit win at heavyweight, meant the Spartans won the dual 30-20. It is the first-ever dual win over Williams Baptist in the history of the MBU men's wrestling program. Previously MBU was 0-9 against the Eagles.
Missouri Baptist University 26, Central Baptist University 18
The Spartans carried the momentum of their first dual win into their second, but this time the scores came early rather than late. Following a double-forfeit at 125,
Daryl Mills got MBU off to a good start with a victory by fall. Rodgers followed it up with a win by tech fall at 141. The teams traded forfeits at 149 and 157, before senior
Trentin Helton (165) effectively sealed the victory for the Spartans by winning a close decision over Christian Richer, who qualified for nationals in 2022. At that point the Spartans led 20-6, and although CBC would get a win by decision at 174, the MBU win by forfeit at 184 made the lead insurmountable. The two teams went 3-3 in matches that were wrestled. The difference was the Mills and Rodgers victories early coupled with an extra forfeit received.
Oklahoma City University 39, Missouri Baptist University 6
The Stars proved to be too much for the Spartans in the third dual of the day. The Spartans only points came by way of forfeit at 197. OCU would win three matches by fall, one by tech fall, one by major decision, and two by decision to claim the victory.
Missouri Baptist University 38, Lyon College 18
The Spartans saved their most dominant performance for last as they won three matches by fall: Mills at 133, Atwell at 184, and Neumann at 197. MBU actually trailed 15-12 after the matches at 157 but closed with four consecutive wins by fall or forfeit before Josh Bader lost in the first tiebreaker at 285.
Individually, Atwell, Neumann, and Mills had one of their best days as Spartans with each going 3-1 with two wins by fall and a forfeit victory. Rodgers finished the day 3-1 with a tech fall and a sudden death win, coupled with a win by forfeit.
MBU will be back in action next Saturday when they head to Marshall, Mo. for the Missouri Valley College Open.
