DAVENPORT, Iowa- The Missouri Baptist men's wrestling team wrestled at the Heart Conference Duals and Heart Conference Open hosted by the Heart of America Athletic Conference and Saint Ambrose University (Iowa). The Spartans split duals against the No. 1 Grand View Vikings (Iowa), where they lost 41-9, and the Receiving Votes William Penn Statesmen (Iowa), where they won 34-10. The biggest highlight of the day came from
Brayden Eikermann, who stunned the returning national champion and current No.1 at 149, Elijah Larsen of Grand View, via pin. Several Spartans placed in the open tournament, with six top-four finishers.
The Spartans started their morning was pit against the four-time returning national champions and current No.1, Grand View University. The Vikings rolled early technical falls at 125 and 133. At 141,
Daryl Mills dropped an 8-7 decision after a late comeback attempt fell short.
Despite an 11-0 deficit as they headed into the second period, Eikermann found great position to give himself control. After a tight scramble, Eikermann was able to settle into position and find the fall and knock off the No. 1-ranked wrestler and place the Spartans on the board at 149.
The Vikings wrestled well in their next five bouts, but
Jared Volcic represented the Spartans at 285, and GVU bumped up one of their wrestlers from 197 to compete at heavyweight, the No. 15 wrestler at 197, Carter Smuck. Volcic grabbed the first takedown and stayed active on top, and was awarded a penalty point after his opponent garnered two stall warnings. In the second period, Volcic chose top, and Smuck escaped and found a takedown to tie the bout up 4-4 as they went into the third. Volcic laid on the attack and grabbed the takedown. Despite a stall warning on Volcic to give Smuck a point, Volcic maintained control and won 8-5 after riding time.
The Spartans controlled the second dual over William Penn. The Statesmen started the dual with a decision at 125.
John Davis grabbed the 8-1 decision for the Spartans at 133, and
Daryl Mills grabbed the technical fall 19-2. The Spartan lost a match at 149, but quickly bounced back with a 12-2 major at 157 from
Noah Richardson.
Hunter Song received a forfeit at 165. Christopher Bauer controlled his match at 174 with a 16-2 major decision to bring the team score to 22-7. After WPU grabbed their final victory in a tight 4-1 decision at 184, MBU received forfeits at 197 and 285 to round out the day with a 34-10 victory over the Statesmen.
Some of the Spartans who did not compete in the duals wrestled in the Heart Conference Open. MBU had six wrestlers finish fourth on the afternoon.
Wyatt Hendrix went 3-2 on the day and grabbed a fall at 157. Jaegar Hall grabbed two bonus point victories to finish fourth on the afternoon at 149.
The Spartans go on winter break and will return in January, hosting the Dr. Tom Smith Invite at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Mo., on Jan. 11, 2025. Wrestling to start at 9 a.m.
