(WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – The UCM Mules wrestling squad (3-3, 0-1 MIAA) dropped three matches Sunday afternoon on day one of the UCM Duals at the Multipurpose Building.
The Mules suffered a 37-9 loss to top-ranked and defending national champion Nebraska-Kearney before falling 25-19 in a close match against Newman and finishing the day with a loss to second-ranked Newberry.
The Mules dropped their first MIAA match of the year to top-ranked Nebraska-Kearney, 37-9, in their first dual Sunday. The Mules lone winners were Hunter Neighbors, Nick Viterisi and Tim Tuaquoi.
Neighbors took a 3-0 decision over Nebraska-Kearney’s Stephen Weimer in the 133-pound bout while Viterisi claimed a 3-1 decision against the Loper’s Nick Ridgeway at 149 pounds. Tuaquoi battled to a hard-fought 3-2 decision at 285 pounds against the Loper’s Zach Anderson to give the Mules their third win in the dual.
Central Missouri then faced the Newman Jets in their second match Sunday, falling 25-19. Eric Mateo, Viterisi, Ty Loethen and Tuaquoi each scored wins in the dual against Newman.
Mateo won his 141-pound bout by taking a 15-7 major decision against the Jets’ Travis Rodenbaugh while Viterisi picked up his second win of the day at 149 pounds by pinning (2:08) Newman’s Aaron Engels. Loethen took a victory via pin (3:30) against the Jets’ Alex Prine in the 165-pound bout while Tuaquoi posted a 3-1 decision over Newman’s Lorenzo Serna to earn his second victory Sunday at 285 pounds.
The Mules’ final match of the day pitted them against second-ranked Newberry. The Mules fell to the Wolves 53- (-1) to close out day one of the UCM Duals. Viterisi and Tuaquoi were UCM’s top performers on day one, each going 2-1. With the three setbacks, the Mules fall to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in the MIAA.
UCM returns to action Tuesday evening for day two of the UCM Duals at the Multi, facing No. 10 Ouachita Baptist at 4 p.m., No. 19 Fort Hays State at 5:30 p.m. and No. 18 Ashland at 7 p.m.