NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - Freshman Parker Bentley won the 197 pound bracket highlighting the West Liberty University wrestling team's trip to the Spartan Mat Classic Saturday, where three Hilltoppers made championship matches.

"It was an awesome day of wrestling for our entire team," said Head Coach Danny Irwin. "We have some older guys that are really starting to put it together like Keaton Grider, Breagan Pearson & Jalen King, their growth has been remarkable over the last couple years. Then when anyone looks at what our freshmen are doing this year they know the future is bright on the hilltop!"

Bentley went 4-0 on the day with two tech falls and a major decision. The Inwood, W.Va. native outscored his opponents 56-7 on way to the gold. He capped off the title run with a 19-2 tech fall in the championship bout. "Parker has really been all in on the process since his arrival to campus," said Coach Irwin. "This tournament win for him has to feel good as he has battled as hard as anyone in our room!"

Freshman Dylan Stroud (141) and graduate student Blake Miller (157) each went 3-1 and placed second in their respective brackets falling by decisions of 9-6 and 9-7 in their finals. Stroud started the day with a 17-1 tech fall and a first period pin to claim a spot in the semifinals, where he won a hard-fought 12-7 decision. Miller took down teammate Jonah Smith in his first match of the day, then added a tech fall and pin to make the finals.

Toby Abbott picked up a bronze medal in the 157 pound bracket going 4-1. The freshman had a pair of major decisions, including one in the third place bout, along with a first period pin.
 
Another freshman Caden Kenworthy made a third place match, but he dropped it 7-2 to finish fourth in the 174 pound division. Kenworthy started the tournament with a major and a fall, then won his quarterfinal in overtime before suffering back-to-back losses by decision. 
 
Grider (197) and Jonah Smith (157) each placed sixth in their respective brackets, while Matt Englehardt (133) placed seventh battling back from an early loss.
 
"The toughness displayed by Dylan Stroud, Matt Englehardt & Toby Abbott today gets everyone fired up," said Coach Irwin.
 
West Liberty will return to the mat on Thursday hosting Glenville State and Notre Dame College for the West Liberty Duals inside the ASRC. Duals are set to begin at 4:30 pm with a senior recognition occurring at intermission.
 
Follow Hilltopper wrestling all season online at HilltopperSports.com as well as on Twitter (@wluwrestling | @wlathletics), Instagram (@wluwrestling | @wlu_athletics), and Facebook.

Post-Tournament Interview

Parker Bentley