Video Highlights

The No. 7 Lindenwood men's wrestling team earned a dramatic 16-15 victory over No. 2 Grand View on Sunday afternoon at Hyland Arena. The Lions overcame a 15-6 deficit and won the match when Steven Butler picked up a major decision victory at the heavyweight class.

The Lions lost five of the first seven matches in the contest, with all seven being decision wins. The Lindenwood victories early on came from Jacob Janes at 141 and Vince Hannon at 157. Janes earned a 5-3 upset win over the No. 6 ranked wrestler in his weight class, with the difference being a takedown early in the bout. Hannon shut out his opponent by a 4-0 score, with the big move being a reversal in the second period.

With Lindenwood down by nine points with just three matches remaining, Chris Chionuma started the comeback at 184 pounds. Wrestling up one weight class, he defeated the No. 8 wrestler at 184 pounds by a 3-2 score. Chionuma recorded a first period takedown and the only points after that were escapes.

At 197 pounds, Lindenwood had another wrestler in a higher weight class, but Dirk Hurrin was able to defeat the No. 8 NAIA wrestler at 197 pounds by a 6-1 margin. After a scoreless first period, Hurrin took control with an escape and takedown in the second period, and then added another takedown in the third.

Needing a major decision at the heavyweight spot for the team victory, Butler was able to come through with a 12-3 win. After falling behind 2-0, Butler had an escape, takedown, and two-point near fall to lead 5-1 after the first period. He added two more takedowns in the second period, and then received two stall points in the third, and a riding time point for the major decision win.

With the victory, Lindenwood goes to 4-4 on the season in duals, including a 4-1 mark against NAIA programs. The Lions will be in action again on Wednesday at McKendree.