Lebanon, Ill. - In a clash of ranked NCAA Division II squads, #13 McKendree narrowly edged No. 19 Maryville 20-18 in a contest in Lebanon, Ill. The match was the second in consecutive days for the Saints, who defeated NAIA No. 2 Missouri Valley Wednesday evening.

"We knew this would be a tough dual against a tough and ranked team in McKendree," Saints head wrestling coach Mike Denney said. "We won five matches and McKendree won five matches, but we had to forfeit a match due to injury and that proved to be the difference. It was a disappointing loss for our team but we fell like we performed well tonight."
 
Brandon Oshiro recorded a 9-3 win to put the Saints ahead after the 125 bout. McKendree won at 133 before Darick Lapaglia recorded a 14-3 major decision at 141. The Bearcats took the next three weight classes before Zeb Wahle, who is ranked No. 8 at 174, recorded a 5-3 win.
 
Nick Burghardt dominated at 184 with a tech fall as the Saints pulled to within 17-15 with two matchups to go. However, McKendree's Julian Smith, ranked No. 4 at 197 picked up the win. Donnell Walker, who is No. 5 in the heavyweights, notched a 3-1 overtime win but was not quite enough as the Bearcats held on for the win.
 
The Saints are next in action at the Missouri Valley College Open Sunday, Feb. 2.


Dual Match Result - McKendree 20, Maryville 18

125- Brandon Oshiro (MU) def. Jose Torres (McK), Dec. 9-3 | 0-3
133- Brenden Murphy (McK) def. Keygan Foster (MU), Tech Fall, 15-0 | 5-3
141- Darick Lapaglia (MU) def. Ryan Strope (McK), MD 14-3 | 5-7
149- #8 Kyle Williams (McK) by Forfeit, | 11-7
157- #4 Josh Ballard (McK) def. Greg Hergarty (MU), Dec. 3-1 | 14-7
165- Nick Haferkamp (McK) def. #3 Dimitri Willis, SV2 8-7 | 17-7
174- #8 Zeb Wahle (MU) def. Luis Alba (McK), Dec. 5-3  |  17-10
184- Nick Burghardt (MU) def. John Vogt(McK), Tech Fall 15-0 | 17-15
197- #4 Julian Smith (McK) def. Morgan Denson (MU), Dec. 10-4 | 20-15
HWT- #5 Donnell Walker (MU) def. Ross Janney (McK), OT 3-1 | 20-18