Men's Wrestling 2/15/2025 8:51:00 PM

(RV) Men’s Wrestling Falcons’ late rally falls short to No. 11 Saint Mary in matchup of KCAC’s top two teams

Photo Credit: Greg Dalton

WICHITA, Kan. – The (RV) Friends University Falcons made a late push to dig out of an early hole, but it wasn't enough as the No. 11-ranked University of Saint Mary Spires held on for a 29-18 win in a dual of the top ranked teams in the KCAC this evening (Feb. 15) inside the Garvey Center.

The Falcons trailed 20-0 after the Spires ripped off five straight wins to begin the dual.

In a 157-pound bout, No. 18-ranked Ezavian Ortega battled No. 21 Josey Jernegan in a hard-fought contest before falling by a 13-6 decision.

Jake Knowles got the Falcons off the snide with a 6-2 decision win over Michael Ager in the 165-pound division.

In another Top 25 matchup, this time the Falcons got the better of things as No. 21-ranked Benedict Holthaus bested No. 14 Nolan Saale in the 174-pound class by pinfall at the 6:15 mark.

Jason Bowers then continued the Falcon surge with a huge 7-3 decision win over No. 25-ranked Gabe Chesbro in the 184-pound division.

After No. 4-ranked Ryker Blackburn sealed the win for the Spires in a 197-pound bout, No. 11-ranked Braden Morgan pinned Devon Lolar at the 2:05 mark in the 285-pound division to end the night on a high note for the Falcons.

The Falcons will now turn their attention to the KCAC Tournament next weekend at Avila University in Kansas City, Mo.

Below are complete results from tonight's Men's Wrestling dual vs. Saint Mary:

125 - Brody Gee (Saint Mary) over Junior Camacho (Friends) (TF 17-2 7:00)

133 - Freddy Barajas (Saint Mary) over Izaiah Smith (Friends) (TF 19-1 6:44)

141 - Hartwell Taylor (Saint Mary) over Wyatt Gardner (Friends) (TF 18-3 6:45)

149 - Austin Almaguer (Saint Mary) over Brad-Lee McAlister (Friends) (TF 18-1 1:56)

157 - Josey Jernegan (Saint Mary) over Ezavian Ortega (Friends) (Dec 13-6)

165 - Jake Knowles (Friends) over Michael Ager (Saint Mary) (Dec 6-2)

174 - Benedict Holthaus (Friends) over Nolan Saale (Saint Mary) (Fall 6:15)

184 - Jason Bowers (Friends) over Gabe Chesbro (Saint Mary) (Dec 7-3)

197 - Ryker Blackburn (Saint Mary) over Jonathan Eye (Friends) (Fall 0:55)

285 - Braden Morgan (Friends) over Devon Lolar (Saint Mary) (Fall 2:05)