West Liberty, W.Va. — The No.15 West Liberty University men's wrestling team returns to action this weekend when it competes at the Little State Invitational hosted by Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana. The Hilltoppers will join a deep field that includes Indiana Tech, Indianapolis, Wabash, Lourdes, Marian, Thomas More, Trine, and host Manchester.
The tournament marks West Liberty's first competition since posting an impressive fourth-place finish at the highly competitive Baldwin Wallace Invitational. The Hilltoppers recorded 122.5 points, placing behind host Baldwin Wallace, Manchester, and Case Western Reserve in a field featuring multiple nationally ranked wrestlers and regional contenders.
West Liberty crowned two champions at the event.
At 149 pounds, Tony Wood turned in a dominant 5–0 performance, collecting two technical falls, a pin, and a major decision in the championship match. His 26 team points were the highest of any Hilltopper.
At heavyweight, Parker Bentley also went 5–0, recording a pin, a tech fall, and a pair of decision victories on his way to the 285-pound title.
The Hilltoppers placed eight wrestlers overall.
At 165 pounds, Bodie Morgan reached the final behind two first-period pins before finishing second. Gabe Blissenbach added another runner-up finish at 174 after advancing to the final with three straight victories.
Tyson Mills placed third at 165, rebounding with an 8–3 decision in the consolation final.
At 125 pounds, Caiden Harbert advanced to the semifinals and finished fourth after medically forfeiting his final bout, while Levi Abbott also secured fourth at 174.
Blaise Parrill rounded out the placers with a sixth-place finish at 125, highlighted by a tech fall, a pin, and a one-point decision in the consolation bracket.
The program continues to receive national recognition, as seven Hilltoppers appeared in this week's Open Mat individual rankings:
