PARK CITY, Kan.: The Missouri Baptist men's wrestling team's season ended this weekend in Park City, Kan., at the NAIA Men's Wrestling Championship. Tyler Deen led the Spartans with a 3-2 finish as he fell shy of the podium.
Deen had a solid showing in the competition as he had a positive record on the weekend, which included a first-round win over the 14-seeded wrestler from the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) in a 9-6 win. He advanced to the second championship round, which pitted him against the 3-seeded wrestler and returning national finalist from Southern Oregon as he fell in a tight 4-1 decision. Deen battled back and took two more wins over a wrestler from Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) and Corban (Ore.). Those wins placed him in the infamous "Blood Round," which is consolation round four, and if a wrestler wins, it guarantees a spot as an All-American. After both wrestlers collected an escape to tie the match up 1-1 in the third, Deen's opponent from St. Thomas (Fla.) secured the takedown in the final seconds of the bout. Deen finished the season 23-8 and was the American Midwest Conference's Newcomer of the Year.
The 13-seed Daryl Mills finished with a win at 133 pounds. Mills had a bye to the second round of the championship, battled against the 4-seed out of Southeastern (Fla.), and dropped to the consolation side of the bracket. Mills then captured a win over a future heart opponent from Central Methodist (Mo.) and pushed him to the tournament's second day. Mills caught a familiar foe from the University of Saint Mary (Kan.), and that loss ended his tournament run and season. Mills finished with a 29-12 and as the American Midwest Conference's Wrestler of the Year.
Dillon Witt, a senior from Sullivan (Mo.), competed at 133 pounds for the Spartans. Witt is the first four-time NAIA National Qualifier for MBU since 2014 Hall of Fame Recipient Nigel Kinworthy. He was the Wrestler of the Year, multiple-time all-conference, and academic all-conference for the AMC. Witt finished the season 20-9 with seven falls, four technical falls, and a major. Witt finished with a career record of 80-44
Rodgers Jr. made his first trip to the national tournament after he claimed a conference crown. A homegrown wrestler, Rodgers has been a multiple-time all-conference wrestler for MBU. He finished with a career record of 49-36.
Joel Campbell wrestled at 174. Campbell saw a career-high ranking of 11 this season (1/11/25). He also received recognition for his achievements as an NAIA Academic All-American on and off the mat. Campbell finished the season with a record of 36-13.
Amad Soufi was the sixth Spartan to claim his spot in Park City. The redshirt freshman from South County finished the season with a 35-15 record.
The Spartans finished with the program's third conference title, six national qualifiers, conference wrestler of the year, conference newcomer of the year, and conference coach of the year.
