TONKAWA, OK – The McMurry University Men's Wrestling team faced tough competition at the Maverick Open, hosted by Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, on Friday.
The War Hawks used the challenging early-season tournament to gain vital experience, securing several individual victories, including a bonus-point win and a thrilling Sudden Victory match.
War Hawks Show Grit with Key Victories
Despite no podium finishes, several McMurry wrestlers recorded wins and demonstrated competitive spirit against strong regional opponents.
Jeremiah Alexander (157 lbs) set a strong tone for his day by dominating his opening bout.
- Champ. Round 1: Won by Major Decision (10-0) over Blaze Dochterman (Southeastern Community College).
The heavyweights delivered an exciting finish, as Yahiya Said (285 lbs) battled his way through the consolation bracket.
- Cons. Round 2: Won a hard-fought match by Sudden Victory (SV-1 18-15) over Alfred Hendricks (Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa), demonstrating tremendous conditioning and clutch performance.
Additionally,
Jose Cordova (197 lbs) picked up a victory in the consolation bracket, showcasing the team's perseverance:
- Cons. Round 2: Won by Injury Default over Preston Thorton (Southeastern Community College).
Other competitors, including
Adrian Cavazos (157 lbs),
Tyler Gardner (165 lbs),
Thomas Olivarez (184 lbs), and Aaron Micheals (125 lbs), faced steep challenges and gained crucial mat time that will prove invaluable as the season progresses.
Head Wrestling Coach
Lance Brown commented on the team's effort: "The Maverick Open is a test of character, and while the scoreboard didn't reflect the outcome we wanted, our guys wrestled hard. Seeing Jeremiah open with a Major Decision and Yahiya gut out a win in Sudden Victory shows we have the ability to compete. This is a young team, and these tough matches are the building blocks we need to improve every week. We're focused on learning from every opportunity."
Up Next for the War Hawks
The McMurry Men's Wrestling team will continue their schedule when they compete back home at Kimbrell Arena for their first home dual on Wednesday, November 19, against Schreiner University.
