OKLAHOMA CITY – The Wayland Baptist wrestling teams knew they were up against a tough opponent in Oklahoma City University, especially on the Stars' home turf. And although 14th-ranked OCU topped Wayland 37-9 on Thursday night, two Pioneers came through big for the team.
In the 141-lb. weight class, Wayland's
Chris Hart won by decision (6-4) over OCU's Trevor Sterling. Teammate
John Mark Avila pinned his opponent, Hunter Muskrat, at 3:20 for the victory in the 149-lb. division.
“Chris wrestled hard all seven minutes,” assistant coach
Luke Salazar said. “He stayed in great position and finished his shots. John Mark continued with his winning streak by picking up a pin for the team.”
At 125 lbs., Wayland's
Justin Williamson was pinned at 4:54 by Kidd Gomez, while Tyler Espitia won the 3-0 decision over
Ruben Lujan for another Stars victory. Mark Meyer (157 lbs.) picked up the win over Pioneer
Bernie Gonzalez with an 8-6 decision. OCU's Zach Skates (165 lbs.) took the victory on a technical fall over
Chris Hunt, 21-6, while Skates' teammate Tyson Campbell (174 lbs.) won by forfeit.
The Stars' Cody Sivertson (184 lbs.) pinned
Miguel Tovar at 4:21, while Pioneer
Jacob Stock (197 lbs.) fell by a 10-2 decision to Michael Brown. Wayland's big man,
Markese Christian (285 lbs.), dropped a 10-3 decision to Stanley Lattimore.
According to Salazar, Wayland's coaches were proud of the effort their athletes put forward against one of the best programs in the country.
“The whole team wrestled tough against a nationally-ranked OCU squad tonight,” he said. “It's not where you start the season, but where you finish. This is a process and we are definitely moving in the right direction.”
Wayland's wrestling team (1-4) will get a few days breather and wrap up the academic semester before traveling to Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., for the Raven Duals on Dec. 15. The Pioneers will have a chance to square off against athletes from the host school, Concordia University, York College and Truett McConnell College. After taking three weeks off for the holiday break, Wayland's wrestling team will be back in action Jan. 6 in Albuquerque, N.M.
In the women's competition Thursday, Wayland lost to OCU, 43-1. The Stars are the four-time defending Women's College Wrestling Association national champions and ranked No. 1 again this season.
The Pioneers' lone point came from
Angela Vyborny in the 191-lb. weight class.
The loss dropped Wayland to 6-6 on the season. The team's next competition is Jan. 12 at the WCWA National Duals in Springfield, Ill., followed by the WCWA National Tournament on Jan. 26 at King College, Tenn.
Women
Oklahoma City – 43
Wayland Baptist – 1
101 – Emily Webster, OCU, WBU forfeit
109 – Kristi Garr, OCU, pinned Cheyenne Kemp, 0:47
116 – Logan Rich, OCU, pinned Lauryn Bruggink, 0:48
123 – Joey Miller, OCU, pinned Jesse Von Behren, 1:42
130 – Briana Delgado, pinned Bethany Courkamp, 2:35 (Exhibition)
136 – Audrey Morehouse, OCU, pinned Erin Miller, 1:26
143 – Double Forfeit
155 – Stephanie Geltmacher, OCU, dec. Tamyra Mensah, 2-0
170 – Brittney Roberts, OCU, WBU forfeit
191 – Heather O'Conner, OCU, dec.
Angela Vyborny, 2-1
Men
Oklahoma City – 37
Wayland Baptist – 9
125 – Kidd Gomez, OCU, pinned
Justin Williamson, 4:57
133 – Tyler Espitia, OCU, dec.
Ruben Lujan, 4-0
141 –
Chris Hart, WBU, dec. Trevor Sterling, 6-4
149 – John-Mark Avila, WBU, pinned Hunter Muskrat, 3:32
157 – Mark Meyer, OCU, dec.
Bernie Gonzalez, 6-4
165 – Zach Skates, OCU, tech fall
Chris Hunt, 22-6
174 – Tyson Campbell, OCU, WBU forfeit
184 – Cody Sivertsen, OCU, pinned
Miguel Tovar, 4:21
197 – Michael Brown, OCU, maj. dec.
Jacob Stock, 11-2
285 – Stanley Lattimore, OCU, maj. dec.
Markese Christian, 11-3
