WICHITA - The Newman wrestling team closed out the home portion of its dual season in style, picking up a 24-21 in over Central Missouri Wednesday night inside Fugate Gymnasium. The Mules have been ranked all season, but are receiving votes in this week's National Wrestling Coaches Association poll.

Newman jumped out to an early 6-0 lead when Blake Ward picked up a forfeit win in the 125 lb. weight class. Blake Fisher added to that lead with a 5-2 decision over Marcus Walker in the 133 match. Fisher's brother, Brent, kept things going for the Jets with a 10-3 decision over Cory Bloodgood, a 2008-09 All-American. Leading 12-0, many watching the match wondered if the Jets would ever lose. Decision wins by Mitch Arnold (def. Jesse Whitson, 5-3) and Ryan Spencer (def. Denis Ryzhov 7-2) and a sixth-minute fall by Austin Workman over Brian Click gave the Jets a commanding 24-0 lead over the Mules.

Central Missouri made its run in the late matches, starting at 174 where UCM's Matt Balles pinned Newman's Jacob Weaver in 3:32, and continuing at 184 where Newman's Tyler Hasenbank dropped an 11-5 decision to Phil Witt in a match that would prove to be pivotal in the outcome of the dual. The Mules picked up 12 points over the final two matches of the dual. UCM's Doug Thompson pinned Newman's Blake Fulbright in 3:47, and the Mules picked up a forfeit win in the heavyweight class, but because Hasenbank's match was a decision, and not a fall, Newman was able to escape with a 24-21 win.

"This was a huge win for us," head coach Ryan Smith said. "All of our guys wrestled hard against a team that beat us 45-3 last year. This win should give people an idea of where our program is at. I'm proud of the guys."

The Jets are back in action Friday when they travel to Kirksville, Mo., to take on Truman State University in a 7 p.m. dual.

Newman 24, Central Missouri 21
125: Blake Ward (NU) won by forfeit
133: Blake Fisher (NU) def. Marcus Walker (UCM), D: 5-2
141: Brent Fisher (NU) def. Corey Bloodgood (UCM), D: 10-3
149: Mitch Arnold (NU) def. Jesse Whitson (UCM), D: 5-3
157: Ryan Spencer (NU) def. Denis Ryzhov (UCM), D: 7-2
165: Austin Workman (NU) def. Brian Click (UCM), F: 5:32
174: Matt Balles (UCM) def. Jacob Weaver (NU) F: 3:32
184: Phil Witt (UCM) def. Tyler Hasenbank (NU) D: 11-5
197: Doug Thompson (UCM) def. Blake Fulbright (NU) F: 3:47
285: Brandon Hayes (UCM) won by forfeit