MARIETTA, GA.- Two Spartans, Amad Soufi and Noah Richardson, placed at the Life U Open hosted by Life University, which currently is the second-ranked team in the NAIA. 

Soufi led the Spartans as he finished second at 285 in the silver division. Soufi's runner-up finish was aided by two falls and a 10-3 decision in the quarterfinals to push him into the semifinal round. Unfortunately, Jabare George of Andrew College medically forfeited in the semifinals, which pit Soufi against Liberty's Wade Wheeler in the finals. Soufi's run stopped there as he finished second at the weight. 

Richardson, who wrestled in the silver division at 157, was the only other placer for Missouri Baptist. Richardson rattled off three wins to place himself in the semifinal round, as he claimed a pin and a technical fall. After a few tough-fought matches, Richardson placed fifth at the weight. 

Other stellar performances for the Spartans came from Joel Campbell, who went 4-2 on the day and picked up a major decision in the gold division at 174, and Nicholas Keim, who went 3-2 on the day, which included two falls in the silver division at 184. Hunter Song, Blake Johnson, Kody Kretzer, and Brandon Bollinger picked up two wins on the day.

The Spartans will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 7th, 2024, at the Doane Open hosted by Doane University in Crete, Neb.