Tigers Wrestling Team Post 3-1 Performance at Newberry Open

Courtesy Ouachita Baptist University Athletics Department NEWBERRY, S.C.- The No. 20 Ouachita Tiger wrestling team went to work over the weekend, taking part in the Newberry Open, hosted by Newberry College. Ouachita participated in four duals throughout the weekend, winning three of them. The Tigers recorded victories over Shippensburg, No. 9 ranked West Liberty and East Stroudsberg before falling in their last dual of the open to No. 7 Kutztown. The Tigers actually got one of the more difficult draws of the teams attending, with all four of their duals coming on Saturday. They kicked off the open at 8:30 in the morning on Saturday, taking on Shippensburg University.  In their 25-18 win over Shippensburg, Ouachita’s performances were highlighted by three wins by decision, as well as a win by fall and a major decision. Dallas Smith claimed the only pin in the match in the 184 lb weight class, while the major decision went to Seth Calvert in the 197 lb division. Following their first dual of the afternoon, the Tigers went right back to work, taking on West Liberty University. In the dual, the Tigers steamrolled the No. 9 ranked Hilltoppers in a 36-9 rout. Ouachita won eight of the 10 matches in their dual against West Liberty, including two decision victories, three major decision wins and two wins by fall. Garret Evans, Bobby Williams and Dexter Carter notched the three major decisions for the Tigers in the 125 lb, 157 lb and 165 lb divisions, while David Butler and Dallas Smith recorded the two pin victories for Ouachita in the 174 and 184 lb classes.  Next up for the Tigers was East Stroudsberg, who the Tigers continued their great day against. The Tigers posted their second dominating performance of the day, recording another 36-9 victory. The dual was highlighted by a decision victory, three major decision wins, a pin and three technical fall victories. The likes of Evans (125), Smith (184), Williams (157), Josh Myers (141) and David Butler (174) all improved to 3-0 on the day with victories in the dual.  The last dual of the day for the Tigers would prove to be the most difficult, as they participated in their second Top-20 match-up of the day against No. 7 ranked Kutztown. Evans, Myers, Williams, Butler and Smith all continued their fantastic days, as they all recorded victories over the Golden Bears, but no other Tiger was able to defeat a Golden Bear wrestler. Ouachita and Kutztown posted one of the closest matches of the Open, with a final score of 27-16 ended up in Kutztown’s favor. The Tigers will travel to Oklahoma City next weekend to take on Oklahoma City University in a dual. Events are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 1.