WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Fresh off a rise to No. 15 in the latest NWCA Division II National Rankings, the West Liberty University men's wrestling team is back on the road this weekend, traveling to Berea, Ohio for the Baldwin Wallace Invitational on Saturday. 

The Hilltoppers will join a competitive lineup that includes host Baldwin Wallace, alongside  Albion, Case Western Reserve, Hiram, Manchester, Mount St. Joseph, Muskingum, Ohio Wesleyan, Penn State Behrend, St. Vincent, Thiel, and Trine.

The tournament provides another important test for the Hilltoppers, who are coming off a strong two-week stretch that included four dual wins and multiple standout individual performances.

Hilltoppers Building Momentum

West Liberty opened the season with three individual champions at the Mount Union Invitational, setting the tone for a lineup with both experience and depth.

After setbacks to Pitt–Johnstown (17–18) and Millersville (9–31), the Hilltoppers responded with an impressive showing at the JWU Quad in Providence, sweeping the day with wins over:

• Castleton — 31–6
   

• Stevens — 30–13
   

• Coast Guard — 27-15
   

• Johnson & Wales — 17–16
  
  
  Individually Oliver Byerly went 4-0 and Carter Winegardner was 3-0.

The strong performance fueled WLU's rise in the national rankings, where the program now boasts six ranked wrestlers, tied for the third-most in Division II.

Nationally Ranked Hilltoppers to Watch

Several Hilltoppers enter Saturday's invitational with national recognition:

• 141 lbs — Khyvon Grace, No. 2
   

• 133 lbs — James Armstrong Jr., No. 9
   

• 125 lbs — Logan Davis, No. 12
   

• 157 lbs — Nico Taddy, No. 11
   

• 165 lbs — Jordan Watters, No. 13
   

• 285 lbs — Parker Bentley, No. 10