Saint Mary Wrestling Claims KCAC Regular Season Title with 29-18 Victory Over Friends
WICHITA, Kan. - The University of Saint Mary wrestling team delivered a dominant performance against Friends University, securing a 29-18 victory and clinching the KCAC Regular Season Championship. The Spires showcased their strength across multiple weight classes, using a mix of technical falls and key decisions to overpower the Falcons.
Match Recap
Saint Mary set the tone early with a string of decisive victories. At 125 pounds, Brody Gee opened with a commanding technical fall (17-2) over Roberto Camacho, giving USM an early 5-0 lead. The momentum continued at 133, as Freddy Barajas followed up with another technical fall (19-1) over Izaiah Smith.
Hartwell Taylor (141) added to the dominance, securing an 18-3 technical fall over Wyatt Gardner, while Austin Almaguer (149) needed just 1:56 to overpower Brad-Lee McAlister with an 18-1 technical fall. Josey Jernegan (157) extended the lead with a hard-fought 13-6 decision over Ezavian Ortega.
Friends University responded at 165 pounds, where Jacob Knowles edged out Michael Ager with a 6-2 decision. The Falcons gained ground at 174 as Benedict Holthaus pinned Nolan Saale in 6:15, and at 184, Jason Bowers secured a 7-3 decision over Gabe Chesbro.
USM regained control at 197, with Ryker Blackburn delivering a statement win, pinning Jonathan Eye in just 55 seconds. Though Friends picked up a late victory at 285 with Braden Morgan's fall over Devon Lolar, the Spires had already secured their path to the championship with an insurmountable lead.
Final Results:
| Weight | Wrestler (USM) | Result | Wrestler (Friends) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 | Brody Gee | TF | Roberto Camacho | 17-2 (7:00) |
| 133 | Freddy Barajas | TF | Izaiah Smith | 19-1 (6:44) |
| 141 | Hartwell Taylor | TF | Wyatt Gardner | 18-3 (6:45) |
| 149 | Austin Almaguer | TF | Brad-Lee McAlister | 18-1 (1:56) |
| 157 | Josey Jernegan | Dec | Ezavian Ortega | 13-6 |
| 165 | Jacob Knowles | Dec | Michael Ager | 6-2 |
| 174 | Benedict Holthaus | Fall | Nolan Saale | 6:15 |
| 184 | Jason Bowers | Dec | Gabe Chesbro | 7-3 |
| 197 | Ryker Blackburn | Fall | Jonathan Eye | 0:55 |
| 285 | Braden Morgan | Fall | Devon Lolar | 2:05 |
KCAC Champions
With the 29-18 win, the University of Saint Mary solidifies itself as the KCAC Regular Season Champions. Their depth, technique, and resilience have propelled them to the top of the conference, setting the stage for a promising postseason run.
The Spires now shift their focus to the KCAC Tournament Championship, where they aim to continue their dominance and earn national recognition. The tournament will take place on Saturday, February 22nd in Kansas City, Missouri.