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The men's wrestling team opened its season by hosting the annual Lindenwood Open. Nine Lions placed in the event this year, led by Chris Chionuma who won the 174 pound title.

Chionuma dominated his five matches during the tournament with two pins, one technical fall victory, and one major decision win. His closest match came in the finals against Missouri's Todd Porter and he came away with a 12-7 decision victory.

One of the top weight classes for the Lions was at 141 pounds where Derrick Weller and Josh Fiorito met in the semifinals. Weller won that match but fell by a narrow 7-6 decision in the championship bout. Fiorito ended up finishing sixth in the wrestlebacks bracket. Both Weller and Fiortio won three matches and had one pin on the day.

Drae Cox and Steven Butler both finished third in their respective weight classes. Cox advanced to the semifinals at 165 pounds before falling by decision to the eventual champion. He bounced back to win two more matches to finish third. Butler had a longer road to finishing third after falling in the heavyweight quarterfinals. He won four matches the rest of the day, including a 2-0 win in the third-place contest.

Daniel Breit and Jake Johnson each came in fourth. Breit won six matches at 149 pounds, including one by technical fall and one by major decision. Johnson advanced to the semifinals in the 157 pound championship bracket and won four bouts, including three by pins.

Other sixth-place finishes went to Taylor Bolin at 133 pounds and Darrell Risinger at 197 pounds. Bolin was another Lindenwood semifinalist. He won three matches, including one by fall. Risinger lost his first match but won two straight decisions to place.

Tournament Notes: Illinois' Bj Futrell was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestling after winning the 133 pound weight class with two falls, one decision, and a technical fall victory in the championship round … former Lindenwood wrestling Ryan Moyer won the Most Pins with five at 165 pounds ... other champions were Missouri's Alan Waters at 125 pounds, Rend Lake's Tyler Holloway at 141 pounds, Oklahoma's Justin Deangelis at 149 pounds, Missouri's Dan Gonsor at 157 pounds, Missouri's Nick Gregoris at 165 pounds, McKendree's Kyle Reid at 184 pounds, Illinois' Mario Gonzelez at 197 pounds, and Missouri Valley's Travis Ewart at heavyweight … the tournament was the first official competition for new Lindenwood head coach Chad Smith … two unattached wrestlers for Lindenwood placed as Justin Forrest was fourth at 125 pounds and Deron Winn was second at 197 pounds.