OWENSBORO, KY. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College wrestling team got its final tune-up before the Great Midwest Championships on Saturday afternoon. On senior day, Wesleyan dropped a 34-18 decision to G-MAC foe Thomes More. Four Panthers picked-up wins on the day while senior
Cade Johnson and
Gavyn Uribes recorded pins.
Matthew Velasco won a back-and-forth match at 141 pounds. Velasco built a 6-1 lead through the first period, but Hunter Sproles reversed course in the second. After an escape, Sproles, took Velasco to his back to take the lead. With an escape point at the end of the period, Velasco trailed 9-7. As Velasco was on top to start the final period, he took Sproles to his back to take a10-9 lead. The Panthers 141-pounder then recorded another take-down in the late moments to secure a 14-10 decision.
It was a happy Senior Day for
Cade Johnson who spent little time to savor the moment in Jones Gym. After a quick take-down at 157-pounds, Johnson pinned his opponent in 63 seconds.
In the 197-pound match,
Cameron Baker earned a tough 8-3 decision. Baker was the aggressor at the start with a first period take-down. Baker had to work hard on top and throughout the second period. His lead was trimmed to 4-2 after an escape at the start of the third period. Baker then caught Zack Watson for another take-down in the final period to give him enough insurance to secure the win for the Panthers.
Both heavyweights were entrenched in a battle during the final match of the day. Uribes nearly took-down Isreal Tshiunza at the end of the first period which forced a challenge by Panthers Head Coach
Brandon Crawford. Still scoreless in the second frame, Uribes reversed Tshiunza to start and later recorded a pin at 3:44.
The Panthers travel to Findlay, Ohio on Saturday to compete in the Great Midwest Championships. At the championship event, each institution is allowed to enter up to two (2) student-athletes per weight class. Competition is scheduled to begin at 9AM CT and continue throughout the day. All matches will be streamed on the Great Midwest Digital Network.
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