WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – Drury wrestling's first dual in program history ended with a 27-17 win over the University of Cumberlands on Saturday in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. The Panthers, competing in their inaugural season, split two matches on the day with a win over Cumberlands and a loss to host Williams Baptist, 24-18.
 
The Panthers had competed in four open tournaments prior to their pair of duals on Saturday.
 
Drury got wins from Jake Byrd, Cory Pych, Jared Rennick and Ben Melton in their 27-17 win over Cumberlands.
 
The Panthers rallied but fell short, 24-18, to Williams Baptist in their second dual of the day. Wins by John Oss and Rennick pulled Drury within three points of the lead before the Eagles closed out the match with a win in the heavyweight class, a 5-0 decision for Demetrius Thomas over Ben Melton.  
 
Drury is now 1-1 on the season. Cumberlands dropped to 6-3 while Williams Baptist, ranked third nationally in the NAIA, ended the day 4-0.
 
Drury competes again next Saturday in the Midwest Classic hosted by the University of Indianapolis. 
 
Drury 27 Cumblerlands (Ky.) 17
Wt.  Match (Score)
125  John Williams (UofC) wins by forfeit (Drury)  Forfeit (0-6)
133  Jake Byrd (Drury) def. Alan Frisco (UofC)   D 7-1 (3-6)
141  Jake Sinkovics (UofC) def. Lawyer Morgan-Beckum (Drury)TF 19-3 (3-11) 
149  Hunter Bell (UofC) def. Ben Stahlman (Drury)  D 8-6  (3-14)
157  Cory Pych (Drury) def. Bobby Ehman (UofC)  F 1:34  (9-14)
165  Tristan Macri (UofC) def. Grant Taylor (Drury)  D 5-1  (9-17)
174  Quintin Bisbey (Drury) wins by forfeit (UofC)  Forfeit   (15-17)
184  John Oss (Drury) wins by forfeit (UofC)    Forfeit (21-17)
197  Jared Rennick (Drury) def.  Eric Deluse (UofC)  D 6-1 (24-17)
HWT  Ben Melton (Drury) def. Devin Morrow (UofC)  D 5-2   (27-17)
 
Williams Bapt. (Ark.) 24  Drury 18
Wt.  Match (Score)
125  Pierre Dowling (WBC) wins by forfeit (Drury)  Forfeit  (0-6)  
133  Tanner Irwin (WBC) def. Jake Byrd (Drury)   D 9-3  (0-9)
141  Lawyer Morgan-Beckum (Drury) def. Cody Reynolds (WBC)TF 16-0 (5-9)
149  Patrick Grigsby (WBC) def. Ben Stahlman (Drury)  D 7-5  (5-12)
157  Cory Pych (Drury) def.  Nick Hopper (WBC)  D 8-4  (8-12)   
165  Ryan Whittle (WBC) def. Grant Taylor (Drury)   D 7-6  (8-15)  
174  Keion McVay (WBC) def. Quintin Bisbey (Drury)  F 1:23  (8-21)
184  John Oss (Drury) def. Josh Chiles (WBC)   F 0:23  (14-21)
197  Jared Rennick (Drury) def.  Braden Zini (WBC)  MD 12-4 (18-21)
HWT  Demetrius Thomas (WBC) def. Ben Melton (Drury)  D 5-0  (18-24)
 
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