ST. LOUIS – The No. 21-ranked Maryville wrestling team faced its biggest dual of the 2025-26 season on Saturday night, battling No. 11-ranked McKendree. The Bearcats left Moloney Arena with a 28-16 victory, earning bonus points in five of their six wins. Maryville picked up victories at 165, 174 and 285.

#11 MCKENDREE 28, #21 MARYVILLE 16
Maryville began with a leg up, receiving six free points after a McKendree forfeit at 125. The Bearcats earned those back and more, getting a tech fall at 133 and a win by disqualification at 141 to go ahead 11-6.

A comeback win at 149 and a pin at 157 put McKendree firmly in the driver's seat. Mustafa Salimi and No. 1-ranked Cole Ritter posted back-to-back wins at 165 and 174 to trim the deficit to 20-12 with two matches remaining. 

Jeremiah Larson attempted to spark a comeback at 197 in a battle of top-10 wrestlers. Larson opened aggressively, taking multiple shots, but No. 5-ranked Logan Kvien, the reigning GLVC Wrestler of the Year, capitalized on that pace and secured a major decision to clinch the dual for McKendree.

Orest Nazarchuk closed the night for Maryville with a convincing 17-8 major decision at heavyweight.

FULL RESULTS
125: Elijah Almarinez (MU) over (MCK) (For.)
133: No. 7 Thaddeus Long (MCK) over Yashua Amen (MU) (TF 17-1 5:38)
141: No. 6 Ronan Schuelke (MCK) over JP Homfeld (MU) (DQ)
149: Caleb Lavine (MCK) over Collin Reif (MU) (Dec 5-4)
157: James Hoskinson (MCK) over Nicolas Zamora (MU) (Fall 4:48)
165: Mustafa Salimi (MU) over Sam Richardson (MCK) (Dec 10-4)
174: No. 1 Cole Ritter (MU) over No. 15 Zeke Waltz (MCK) (Dec 4-2)
184: No. 6 Darion Johnson (MCK) over John Gholson (MU) (MD 16-8)
197: No. 5 Logan Kvien (MCK) over No. 10 Jeremiah Larson (MU) (MD 15-5)
285: Orest Nazarchuk (MU) over Casey Olszowka (MCK) (MD 17-8)

UP NEXT
The Saints hit the road to Indianapolis for the Midwest Classic, hosted by the University of Indianapolis. The two-day tournament begins Saturday, Dec. 13, and concludes Sunday.