GRIMES, Iowa- The Missouri Baptist men's wrestling team sent their underclassmen and a couple of upperclassmen to the Grand View Open hosted by Grand View University at the Ignit Sports Complex. With several brackets that exceeded 55 wrestlers, the Spartans did not have a placer, but were led by CJ Bauer, who finished 4-2 on the day. 

In his opening round match, Bauer fell in a 10-3 decision to his opponent from Iowa Central Community College. Bauer bounced back with a fall over Tristan Ring of Friends University and a technical fall over Dustin Spring Jr of Ottawa 17-0. Then, in his third consolation match, he wrestled Ander Leota of North Idaho. Leota took the first takedown of the match and led 3-1 at the end of the second. Leota chose the bottom, and Bauer grabbed a four-point near-fall. Leota reversed Bauer, and Bauer escaped as the score became 6-5 in favor of Bauer. Bauer was able to grab a takedown to ice the match. Despite a late escape, Bauer held on for the 9-6 victory. In his next consolation bout, Bauer trailed 2-0 in the third after he was tacked with two stall warnings and his opponent escaped. Bauer chose bottom and escape; the match score was 2-1 in favor of his opponent. Bauer had a late takedown to take the win 4-2, before he lost in his fifth consolation match. 

Jeremiah Drake started his day with a tight 4-3 decision after he scored a first-period takedown. Drake went on a tear in his next two matches, as he outscored his opponents 21-6 to place him in the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, Drake fell in back-to-back matches to finish the day 3-2 with a major decision. 

Another freshman made his appearance known on the mat this weekend as Thomas Blackmon finished 3-2 on the day. Blackmon grabbed the fall in the second in his opening round match. After he dropped a decision in the second round, Blackmon defeated his teammate Joey Meza 1-0 in his first consolation match. Blackmon hit the gas as he took a win over his next opponent via a major decision, 17-4. Blackmon lost in his next match to finish the day 3-2 with a fall and a major decision. 

The Spartans travel down to Marietta, Ga., this weekend at the Lucha Open hosted by Life University on Saturday November 22, 2025. Wrestling to start at 9 a.m.