QUINCY, Ill. - The Quincy University men's wrestling team played the role of host for the first time in the 2023-24 season, welcoming the Spartans of Missouri Baptist University to the friendly confines of Pepsi Arena for a 6:00 PM duel on Tuesday (Nov. 14). The Hawks trailed through the first seven matches, but three big wins down the stretch propelled Quincy to a 32-20 victory in it's first duel showdown of the season.
The Spartans got out to an early advantage thanks to a forfeit victory in the 125 weight class due to Quincy's inability to field a wrestler. Missouri Baptist furthered its lead to 11-0 with another win in the 133 weight class that saw Daryle Mills (MoBap) win by fall over
Perry Lake (QU) at the 2:42 mark.
Sabian Russel (QU) notched the first points of the evening for the Hawks, dispatching Ricky Ortiz (MoBap) via fall (1:48) in the 141 division to cut the deficit to 11-6. Dylon Alft (MoBap) brought home a winner in 149 over
Hunter Vernon (QU), securing the decision (8-7) in the duels smallest margin of victory to replenish the advantage to 14-6.
Gavin Morawitz (QU) got Quincy back on the right track in his 157 showdown with Joel Campbell (MoBap), collecting the win with a fall (3:18) to make it 14-12.
Raymond Fernandez (QU) gave the Hawks their first lead of the evening with a hard-fought victory by decision (11-7) over Hunter Song (MoBap) to put QU ahead 15-14 through six matches.
Tony Conner (MoBap) won his 174 bout over
Aaron Taylor (QU) by way of fall at the 4:27 mark for the Spartans final win of the evening and to put his squad ahead 20-15. The Hawks swept the final three matches of the evening en route to the victory.
Judah Yates (QU) took down Dom Calvin (MoBap) via tech fall (4:45) in 184 to knot the tally at 20-20 and
Maxim Ryner (QU) defeated Logan Neumann (MoBap) by fall (1:32) in the 197 matchup to give QU a 26-20 advantage heading into the final match of the evening.
Needing to avoid a pin to give his side the team victory,
Kayden Garrett (QU) delivered that and more, claiming the win in 285 over Spencer Fleming (MoBap) via injury default (4:14) to secure a 32-20 winner for the Hawks.
Up next, the Hawks travel south to St. Charles, MO, for the Lindenwood University hosted, Lindenwood Open. The event is slated for a 9:00 AM start on Saturday (Nov. 18).
