The University of the Ozarks claimed their second consecutive SLIAC Men's Wrestling Championship, totaling 137.5 team points and besting the field of seven teams.
Ozarks was bolstered with wrestlers appearing in seven of ten championship matches, and going on to win the championship in all seven weight classes. The Eagles started the championship round by showing off their depth, with all four wrestlers competing in the first two matches wearing purple and white. Shelton Chastain faced teammate Reign Creech in the 125 championship match to start the title round. The nationally ranked grappler asserted himself early, maintaining top control throughout the match on the way to a 15-4 win.
Javin Douglas and Clyde Adams squared off at 133 pounds. Douglas worked his way from his back to top mount midway through the first period before opening up an 8-2 lead. He maintained strong guard in the third period, defensively holding off his teammate for an 11-2 win.
The energy went up a notch at 141 pounds when the Eagles finally faced an opponent in a different color. Zander Payne used his leverage to drive his opponent out of the circle time and again, constantly applying pressure and picking up an 11-4 win.
The Ozarks home crowd started to gather in anticipation in the 149 pound match when Hayden Rofkahr took the mat for the Eagles. Rofkahr was down 3-1 when he switched mounting position, picking up three points and the lead. He kept the momentum going when moments later he got the pin for the win.
Demetri Teddlie took the 157 pound title when he won 17-2 and Airamis Mendoza followed at 165 pounds with a 13-1 win. The Eagles final individual title came at 174 pounds when Gabriel Sheikh capped off the day for the Eagles with a pin in 2:45. Ozarks finished the day with 137.5 team points while their seven individual titles are a new conference championship record.
Westminster College finished second with 90 points. The Blue Jays had seven medalists with Austen Wetzel and Cole Harrell leading the way as individual champions. Wetzel took home the 184 pound title when he won his championship match 20-4 while Harrell won 197 pounds with a pin fall.
Finishing 3rd was Eureka College with 65.5 points. The Red Devils had four wrestlers place 2nd and another finish 3rd. Gaige Owens (141), Nathan Berta (149), Thomas Culp (184), and Jacob Kaminski (285) all finished as runner-up while Alex Muhammad won his 3rd place match by pin fall.
Schreiner University was 4th with 38 total points. The event was capped with the heavyweight showdown at 285 pounds where Austin Cooley captured the title for the Mountaineers. Cooley won 9-1 in the championship match, which followed a pair of pin fall victories earlier in the day. Cooley would go on to be named the SLIAC Wrestler of the Meet. His teammate, Ashton Keller, also picked up a medal; finishing 3rd at 141 pounds.
Lyon College came in 5th with 21 points thanks to a pair of wrestlers picking up medals. Eli Lupton placed 2nd at 197 pounds after winning his first two matches of the day including a sudden victory in the semifinals. Clay Queen Jr. placed 3rd at 149 pounds, winning his final match 20-11.
Fontbonne University finished the day with 4 team points. Stephen Bell led the way for the Griffins, totaling 2.5 points thanks to his win by pin in the consolation round while Daniel Bauer added 1.5 points after his majority win in the consolation round.
Blackburn College finished with 2.5 points in its first season of the program. Remington Hiser picked up all of the points for the Beavers with his consolation round win by pin fall.