DOUGLASVILLE, Ga.- The Missouri Baptist University men's wrestling squad wrestled at the Lucha Open hosted by Life University (Ga.). The Spartans, led by Daryl Mills, Brandon Bollinger, Geno Cardenas, and Marcel Gordon, all placed at their respective weight classes. 

Mills was the highest placer for MBU, finishing fifth at 141. Mills lost his opening bout via overtime criteria, 4-4, against an NCAA Division 1 opponent from Campbell (N.C.). That was the only loss Mills had on the day as he battled through six consolation rounds. Mills outscored 67-8 in his first four consolation bouts and captured the first-period fall in his consolation semifinal match at the 1:31 mark. Mills went on to win the 5th-place bout because his opponent had reached the match limit to finish 5th. 

Brandon Bollinger finished sixth at 157 as he was 4-2 on the day. Bollinger also dropped his first match of the day and bounced back. Bollinger grabbed a major decision in his first backside match and followed it up with three close decision victories to put himself in the consolation finals. Bollinger, unfortunately, fell in that match to solidify himself at sixth. 

Up a weight class, Geno Cardenas finished seventh at 133. Cardenas also fell to an NCAA Division 1 wrestler from Campbell (N.C.) in his first match. Cardenas captured a first-period fall in his first match and came away with a tight 2-0 win in his second consolation bout. Cardenas lost his consolation semifinal match 7-1 and captured the major over his opponent from Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 8-1 to finish seventh. 

Marcel Gordon was the sole wrestler from the silver division to place for the Spartans, as he finished seventh at 197. Gordon dropped his first match and grabbed a fall in his first consolation match, a 10-3 decision over an opponent from the University of Rio Grande (Ohio), and another first period to place himself in the consolation semifinals. Gordon dropped that match but grabbed a 14-7 decision to finish the day 4-2. 

Other highlights for MBU include Jacob Sinn who went 2-2 at 149 with two falls, Hunter Song, who went 2-2 at 165 with a major, Joel Campbell, who went 2-2 at 165 with a technical fall, Joey Meza, who went 2-2 at 141 with a fall, and Spencer Flemming who went 2-2 at 285with a pair of falls. 

The Spartans compete again at the Doane Open hosted by Doane University (Neb.) on Saturday, December 6, 2025.