Spartans Defeat McKendree in Tight Dual

men’s wrestling needed an extra push at the end by heavyweight Joe Kent to defeat the McKendree Bearcats on Wednesday, 25-22.

Missouri Baptist, currently ranked 14th in the NAIA, played host to McKendree, looking to enact revenge on the Bearcats after dropping an early-season dual in Lebanon, Ill. From the outset, the Spartans looked strong. After three forfeits (two by McKendree) in the first three weight classes, Missouri Baptist’s Esmond Ford extended the 12-6 lead for his team with a commanding 11-2 victory by major decision.

After two consecutive forfeits in both the 157 and 165lb weight classes, A.J. Carter-Johnson continued his strong wrestling of late. The freshman defeated the Bearcats’ Mandela Johnson 7-3 by decision, giving the Spartans a slim one point advantage.

After the Spartans’ Weston Keleher (ranked number five in the NAIA) defeated Luis Alba, McKendree came roaring back with a big performance by Kyle Reid. The junior from Belleville East High School tied the dual with a 13-4 victory by major decision.

The competition all came down to the heavyweight match which featured the NAIA 10th ranked Joe Kent of Missouri Baptist against Ross Janney of McKendree. After a deadlocked first period at zero, Kent took a 1-0 lead into the third period. Janney, however, rebounded and held on to force overtime. In the end, Kent proved to be too strong and took the final match 4-2, sealing the victory for the Spartans.

Missouri Baptist will head to the York College Open on Saturday to compete while the Bearcats will travel to Marshall, Mo. to compete in the Missouri Valley Invitational on Saturday.