West Liberty, W.Va. - With the Mountain East Conference Wrestling Championships just two weeks away, the West Liberty University men's wrestling team will face its first conference opponent of the season on Friday night, traveling to Frostburg State for a dual at Bobcat Arena.
The Hilltoppers enter the matchup coming off a 2-2 showing at the NWCA National Duals, closing the event with back-to-back victories on the final day of competition after facing a nationally competitive field.
West Liberty opened the event against Wisconsin–Parkside, falling 33-4 despite a dominant performance at 141 pounds from Khyvon Grace, who earned a 15-4 major decision. The Hilltoppers also battled tightly contested bouts throughout the lineup, including one-point decisions at 133 and 174.
In their second dual, West Liberty dropped a 24-10 decision to Minnesota State, highlighted by wins from Logan Davis at 125 pounds, Jordan Watters at 165, and Carter Winegardner at 174. Davis recorded a 12-1 major decision, while Watters and Winegardner both earned solid decision victories.
The Hilltoppers rebounded strongly on the final day, beginning with a 31-9 victory over Maryville. West Liberty secured wins in eight of the 10 bouts, including bonus-point performances from Anthony Wood (technical fall at 149), Nico Taddy (first-period fall at 157), Bodie Morgan (major decision at 165), and Carter Winegardner (major decision at 174). Parker Bentley closed the dual with a decision at heavyweight.
West Liberty followed with a 25-14 win over Upper Iowa, fueled by key victories from Logan Davis, Grace, Taddy, Jordan Watters, Winegardner, and Bentley. Watters delivered one of the highlights of the dual with a second-period fall at 165 pounds, while Grace and Taddy each collected major decisions.
Friday's matchup marks the first meeting between West Liberty and Frostburg State since the 2023–24 season, when the Hilltoppers earned a 42-8 victory at the ASRC.
With postseason competition approaching, the dual against the Bobcats provides an important opportunity for West Liberty to fine-tune its lineup and build momentum heading into the MEC Championships.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.
