The Kentucky Wesleyan College wrestling team opened its season at the Kauffman Brand Open on Saturday, officially recording the first wrestling results in school history. Nick Ornelas placed fifth at 133, while LaMont Wilson took sixth at 125 pounds.
Ornelas started the day with a 19-4 technical fall at 133 pounds over Kolby Smith from Maryville. After falling in the quarterfinal round, Ornelas produced back-to-back pins in the consolations. First Ornelas took down Connor Allen from Indianapolis (6:02) before pinning Travis Jones from Westminster (6:38).
Alex Waggoner from Maryville took a narrow 9-7 over Ornelas in the consolation semifinals. Ornelas matched up with Smith again in the fifth-place match, earning a major decision (15-2) to finish 3-2 on the day.
Both Adam Bender and Caleb Craig finished 2-2 on the afternoon. Bender fell 3-0 in the opening round before earning two tech falls in the consolation rounds. Bender blanked Darius Gatewood of Central Baptist (16-0) and Chris Hanson of Drury (18-0). Illinois’ Dane Durlacher then halted Bender’s run with a 9-1 major decision in the fourth round of consolations.
Craig recorded the fastest pin of the day for the Panthers as he won his consolation match in 85 seconds over McKendree’s Robbie Snellinberger. Seth Otis of Drury suffered a 5-2 loss from Craig in the next round before Hunter Wagner earned a 20-3 tech fall to end Craig’s tournament.
Andrew Parker and Angelo Talabert each went 1-2 at 133 and 165, respectively.
The Panthers will travel to St. Charles, Mo., Saturday to compete in the Lindenwood Invitational. Competition will start at 9 a.m. and continue throughout the day.
