The No. 9 Lindenwood wrestling team fell just a single point shy of upsetting No. 1 Maryville on Tuesday night at Hyland Arena. The Saints won two matches by sudden victory which led Maryville to an 18-17 victory.
The match of the night at 197 pounds between No. 3
Kenny Breaux of Lindenwood and No. 4 Ryan Beltz of Maryville proved to be the difference in the team score. Both teams ended the regulation time with just one escape apiece. Neither wrestler scored in the first overtime, and both earned another escape in the second overtime frame. Finally, in the third sudden victory overtime, Beltz earned a takedown for the 4-2 win.
Lindenwood still led the team score by two points after that match, but Maryville completed its come-from-behind victory when No. 4 Donnell Walker earned a decision win over Jacob Borgmeyer by a 3-2 score in the heavyweight bout. Walker earned a takedown in the first period, while Borgmeyer had escapes in the first and second periods. Walker won though with 1:05 of riding time.
The Lions fell behind early after another sudden victory loss at 125 pounds, when Maryville's Jaret Singh upset Lindenwood's
Marco Tamayo. The only takedown in that 3-1 decision came 40 seconds into the first sudden victory period.
Lindenwood captured the next three matches, with major decision shutouts by
Hunter Haralson and No. 5
Kyle Webb, and a forfeit win for No. 3
Terrel Wilbourn. The Lions led 14-2 after the 149 pound weight class which included Maryville being deducted a team point.
Maryville came back to win five of the final six matches though, with all five coming from nationally-ranked wrestlers. Lindenwood's only win in that span was a 7-0 decision win from
Batchka Zulkhuu at 174 pounds.
Prior to the match, Lindenwood honored its eight seniors who were competing in Hyland Arena for the final time. They were Breaux,
Michael Caldwell,
Cullen Halpin,
John McArdle,
Blayne Shockley, Tamayo, Webb, and
Derrick Weller.
The Lions will be in action again this Sunday when they compete in the MIAA Tournament in Warrensburg, Mo.
