CRETE, Neb. - The University of Saint Mary men's wrestling team delivered an impressive performance at the Doane Oppenheimer Open, highlighted by standout efforts from Ryker Blackburn and Freddy Barajas. Though the event was not team-scored, several Spires wrestlers made their mark with dominant showings on the mat.
Ryker Blackburn continued his dominant season by securing the championship at 197 pounds. After receiving a bye in the opening round, Blackburn pinned Colten Hink (Dakota Wesleyan) in just 1:31 and followed with a second-period pin over Donivan Giangregorio (Dickinson State) in 4:17. In the semifinals, Blackburn controlled the match against Kasten Grape (Doane University) with a 13-5 major decision. In the championship bout, Blackburn capped his stellar day with a 7-2 decision over Bradley Antesberger (Doane University) to claim the title.
Freddy Barajas also had a remarkable tournament, finishing as the runner-up at 133 pounds. Barajas began his day with a first-period pin over Charles Easterling (Benedictine College) before earning a 13-1 major decision against Nick Foster (Graceland University) in the second round. He advanced to the semifinals with a solid 4-1 decision over Kina'u McBrayer (Providence). Barajas secured his spot in the finals with a thrilling 6-3 sudden victory over Matthew Terrence (Doane University). In the championship match, Barajas battled hard but fell 4-0 to Dean Anderson (Valiant Prep).
Other Notable Performances
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Brody Gee (125 lbs): Gee showcased his skill with a series of dominant victories, including four pins on the day. He reached the consolation semifinals with a technical fall (15-0) and three first-period falls. Gee ultimately finished fourth after a tough third-place match.
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Roman De La Cruz (133 lbs): De La Cruz impressed with a fourth-place finish, earning key victories, including a 22-9 major decision in the opening round and a sudden victory decision (4-1) in the consolation bracket.
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Luke Hancock (174 lbs): Hancock tallied two technical falls and a major decision en route to a strong showing in the consolation rounds.
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Jacob Navarro (141 lbs): Navarro earned three victories, including two pins, and displayed resilience throughout the day.
The Spires return to action next week on the road at Avila as they continue their competitive schedule
