BEREA, Ohio — The No. 15-ranked West Liberty University men's wrestling team turned in a strong early-season tournament showing on Saturday, placing fourth out of 13 teams at the highly competitive Baldwin Wallace Invite. The Hilltoppers finished with 122.5 team points, trailing only host Baldwin Wallace, Manchester, and Case Western Reserve in a field loaded with nationally ranked individuals and regional contenders.

West Liberty crowned two champions—Anthony Wood (149) and Parker Bentley (285)—while placing eight wrestlers overall and advancing multiple athletes deep into championship brackets.

Champions Lead the Way

149 – Anthony Wood (1st Place)

Wood delivered one of the most dominant performances of the tournament, going 5–0 with two tech falls, a pin, and a major decision in the finals.

• TF (19-3)
   

• Fall (4:11)
   

• TF (17-2)
   

• Dec (10-4)
   

• MD (10-2) for the title
   

His 26 team points were the highest of any Hilltopper in the field.

285 – Parker Bentley (1st Place)

Bentley also rolled to an undefeated 5–0 day, sweeping his way to the heavyweight title with a mix of power and control.

• Fall (1:06)
   

• TF (19-3)
   

• DQ win in quarterfinals
   

• Dec (4-2) in semifinals
   

• Dec (9-5) in championship
   

Top-Tier Podium Finishes

165 – Bodie Morgan (2nd Place)

Morgan had a strong performance, reaching the finals behind two first-period pins and a 5–0 quarterfinal win. He finished runner-up after a tough championship bout against Baldwin Wallace's Andrew Supers.

174 – Gabe Blissenbach (2nd Place)

Blissenbach battled his way to the finals with three straight wins, including two falls and a semifinal decision. He placed second after a finals setback to BW's Thomas West.

165 – Tyson Mills (3rd Place)

Mills pushed through to a strong third-place finish, earning a fall and a tech fall on his way to the semifinals before bouncing back with an 8–3 win in the consolation final.

125 – Caiden Harbert (4th Place)

Harbert recorded three straight wins to reach the semifinals, including a tech fall and two decisions, before medically forfeiting in the third-place match.

174 – Levi Abbott (4th Place)

Abbott advanced to the semifinals with a tech fall and a major decision before finishing fourth.

125 – Blaise Parrill (6th Place)

Parrill showed grit throughout the bracket, picking up a tech fall, a pin, and a narrow 9–8 victory in consolations.

Team Finish

West Liberty's fourth-place team finish reflects the depth and continued growth of a squad competing without several nationally ranked starters. The Hilltoppers totaled 122.5 points, placing behind:

1. Baldwin Wallace – 191.5
    

2. Manchester – 164.0
    

3. Case Western Reserve – 151.5
    

4. West Liberty – 122.5
    

Up Next

The Hilltoppers return to dual action on December 6 at the Little State Invite and Kent State Open.