SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Hosting their first home intercollegiate wrestling event in program history, Drury lost to the University of Central Missouri in a match decided by tie-breaker criteria on Wednesday night in Weiser Gym. The Panthers and Mules both finished with 24 points forcing officials to review a series of criteria to determine the winner. Central Missouri had an advantage in tie-breaker points 22-16.
The Panthers, in front of a crowd of more than 450 at Weiser Gym, forced a tie winning the last three matches as they came back from a 24-9 deficit.
"It was bitter sweet. I am humbled by our community support and overjoyed with the turnout," said Drury head coach
James Reynolds. "We knew it would be a tall order to give up forfeits and still try to come out on top but the team embraced that challenge tonight. We have a lot to work on as a young team but we will build it here, brick by brick."
Panthers heavyweight
Ben Melton (7-8) earned a 5-3 win in sudden victory over Chase Miller (8-10) forcing the 24-all tie. Drury's
Jared Rennick (18-5), ranked 10
th nationally at 197 pounds, pinned Grant Sparks (4-11) in 15 seconds and
John Oss (14-4) for Drury at 184 pounds also won by fall in the first period over Allan Pearson (2-4).
The Panthers also picked up a win from
Cory Pych (5-6) who won a 5-4 decision over Steffon Fassett (4-4) at 157 pounds.
Drury competes again on Saturday at the Pat Flanagan Open at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.
Drury 24 Central Missouri 24
Wt. Match (Score)
125
Jake Byrd (Drury) wins by forfeit (6-0)
133 John Feeney (UCM) wins by forfeit (6-6)
141 Bradley Irwin (UCM) def. Lawyer Beckham (DU) D 6-4 (6-9)
149 Zach Scriddle (UCM) wins by forfeit (6-15)
157
Cory Pych (DU) def. Steffon Fassett (DU) D 5-4 (9-15)
165 Jesse Reser (UCM) def.
Grant Taylor (DU) D 8-2 (9-18)
174 Cody Carson (UCM) wins by forfeit (9-24)
184
John Oss (DU) def. Allan Pearson F 2:52 (15-24)
197
Jared Rennick (DU) def. Grant Sparks F :15 (21-24)
HWT
Ben Melton (DU) def. Chase Miller D 5-3 (24-24)
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