LEAVEWNORTH, KAN. - The University of Saint Mary men's wrestling team delivered an impressive performance this past weekend as they hosted the Spire Duals. Competing against Jamestown (N.D.), Missouri Valley, and Wayland Baptist (Texas), the Spires showcased their depth and talent, securing two victories and narrowly missing a clean sweep by just one point in their final match.
Match 1: Spires Dominate Jamestown
The Spires opened the event in commanding fashion, defeating Jamestown with a flawless performance that highlighted their strength across the lineup.
Jamestown's lone victory came at 197, with Trystan Rogers pinning Conner Owen (Fall 2:50), but the Spires' early momentum carried them to a convincing team win.
Match 2: Spires Edge Missouri Valley
In a closer contest, the Spires overcame a strong challenge from Missouri Valley, winning key matchups to take the dual.
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125: Brody Gee dominated Ryker Smith with a technical fall (16-1).
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141: Jacob Navarro earned a hard-fought decision over Blaine Ortiz (8-5).
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149: Hartwell Taylor added a decision win over Bishop Rush (6-1).
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157: Josey Jernegan recorded a fall against Brayden Shelton (4:30).
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184: Gabe Chesbro's victory came via injury default.
Despite losses at 133, 165, and 174, the Spires' resilience in crucial bouts secured their second win of the day.
Match 3: Spires Fall Short Against Wayland Baptist
The final match against Wayland Baptist came down to the wire, with the Spires narrowly losing by one point. Individual performances once again stood out, even in defeat.
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125: Brody Gee set the tone with a quick fall over Jarrett Quinlan (Fall 0:48).
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133: Roman De La Cruz earned a major decision against Gabriel Garcia (12-4).
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141: Hartwell Taylor secured a decision over Nathaniel Ruiz (3-1).
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157: Josey Jernegan continued his strong form with a decision win over Joshua Camillo (7-3).
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174: Luke Hancock eked out a critical decision victory against Ethan Frank (4-3).
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184: Gabe Chesbro capped his stellar weekend with a major decision over Malakai Owens (14-2).
Wayland Baptist's strength at 149, 165, 197, and 285 proved to be the difference as they edged the Spires in a nail-biting finish.
Notable Performers
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Brody Gee (125): A perfect weekend with wins by fall and technical fall, setting the tone for the Spires.
- Hartwell Taylor (141): Clean sweep victories.
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Josey Jernegan (157): Dominated all three matches, including two wins by fall.
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Gabe Chesbro (184): Consistently delivered, with two falls and a major decision.
The Spires placed second overall at the Spire Duals, demonstrating their potential to compete at a high level. With standout performances and depth across weight classes, they continue to build momentum heading into the next phase of their season.
