CRETE, Neb.- The Missouri Baptist University men's wrestling team competed in the Conner Oppenheim Open hosted by Doane University (Neb.) on Saturday. The Spartans were led by freshman Brenden Rayl, who finished fourth on the weekend at 141 pounds in the Amateur Division.

Rayl started his day off with an opening-round loss to the eventual champion at the weight. Rayl went on a backside tear, which was kicked off by a tight 3-0 decision in which Rayl grabbed the match-winning takedown in the first and held on for the 3-0 win. Rayl battled through backside matches with three first-period falls and a first-period technical fall to reach the 3rd place bout. Rayl hit his match limit, which caused a no-contest in that match. Rayl finished 4-1 on the day to capture a fourth-place finish at 141 pounds. 

In the Open Division, Brandon Bollinger and Jeremiah Drake both reached the consolation semifinal matches, one match away from a top-4 finish. Bollinger started his dominant performance with a 10-0 lead in the second before he grabbed the fall at the 3:17 mark. Bollinger won two more matches and picked up an additional fall en route to the semifinals. Bollinger dropped his semifinal match to the No. 12 wrestler at 157, and lost his consolation semifinal bout to finish 3-2, with three bonus point victories at 157 pounds. 

Drake competed at 165 for MBU, and also reached the consolation semifinals. After he received a first-round bye, Drake took a close 5-4 win in the first match of the day with a late escape to take the lead in the third. In Drake's second match, he trailed in the second 4-1 but found a reversal and the fall to place him in the semifinals. Drake fell to the No. 23 wrestler from Providence (Mont.), and his last match to finish 2-2 with a fall. 

Other highlights for MBU include Amad Soufi, who finished 3-2, 2 with a major decision. Soufi's last match pitted him against a familiar foe from Texas Wesleyan, ranked No. 17, and despite a late third-period takedown to tie the match, his opponent grabbed the late escape to win 5-4. Brayden Eikermann finished 3-2, with two falls, and reached the quarterfinals. Kody Kretzer also finished 3-2 on the day with a first-period fall. 

The Spartans look ahead to the Heart Conference Duals, hosted by St. Ambrose University next Saturday, December 13, 2025. Wrestling to start at 9 a.m.