Wrestling | 1/9/2018 9:31:00 PM

WICHITA, Kan. — In a match that saw the importance of each bout raised due to forfeits, the Newman wrestling team mounted a comeback, but fell 24-20 to Central Missouri Tuesday night at Fugate Gymnasium to open MIAA dual action.

After neither team sent a wrestler out at 125 and the two sides traded forfeits at the next two weights, it was tied 6-6 headed to 149. The Mules (3-5, 1-0 MIAA) picked up a fall to grab a lead they wouldn't give up the rest of the night, but the Jets (0-1, 0-1 MIAA) didn't allow the guests to cruise.

At 157, Mario Rodriguez picked up his first MIAA dual win with a thorough 14-3 major, locking up a cradle in the final seconds and just missing out on a pin. Nate Panagakis fought until the end of his match at 174, getting a takedown along the edge to make it a one point match in the third, but fell by a slim 9-8 margin.

Noel Torres and Dalton Weidl defended their national rankings on the back end of the meet. Torres kept the Jets alive with a 13-2 major at 184, and Weidl forced two first-period stall calls before sticking his opponent in 3:56 to cap the dual.

The Jets continue the dual portion of their season with a trip to the Midwest Duals this Saturday, where they'll face Colorado Mines, Chadron State and Adams State.

RESULTS

Central Missouri 24, Newman 20

125: Double Forfeit
133: Vincent Eremita (NU) won by forfeit
141: Zack Schridde (UCM) won by forfeit
149: Kaleb Warner (UCM) fall Jake Hattabaugh 4:27
157: Mario Rodriguez (NU) md. Dom Nobile 14-3
165: Jesse Reser (UCM) fall Kyle Ryan 4:49
174: Allan Person (UCM) dec. Nate Panagakis 9-8
184: Noel Torres (NU) md. Martin Brunnert 13-2
197: Dominique Hampton (UCM) dec. Jacob Stoneberger 11-7
285: Dalton Weidl (NU) fall Chase Miller 3:56