Gordon Helps Lead WBU to Strong Finish at Spartan Invite

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (1/13/24) - Williams Baptist University men's wrestling team turned in its most-decorated performance of the season at the Spartan Invite hosted by Missouri Baptist University on Saturday.

The Eagles captured six top-5 finishes on the day, led by a Kendric Gordon who took home top honors in the 184-division. He started his day with a fall (2:10) victory over Skyler Caldwell (University of the Ozarks) and continued in the second round with a fall (4:37) victory over Caden Holland (University of the Ozarks). In the third round he took down Leroy Carlos Tyse (Univ. of Health Sciences & Pharmacy) with a fall (1:31) win and then took down Ernst Lavaid (Midway University) in a fall (2:05) to secure his spot in the finals. In the finals he defeated Blake Johnson (Missouri Baptist University) with a 7-5 decision to earn his first tournament bracket victory of the season.

In the 165-division Jonthan Vizcarrondo finished second after defeating Gavin Weightman (University of the Ozarks) by technical fall 17-1, Stephen Bell (Fontbonne) by technical fall 19-2 and Daylon Stafford (Midway University) by a 7-5 decision to advance to the finals. In the championship match he was defeated by Tony Connor (Missouri Baptist University) by major decision 9-1. 

Ross Womack took home a third place finish in the 149-division after bouncing back from a 11-1 major decision loss to Benjamin Beaty (University of the Ozarks) in the opening round. Womack rallied to take Garrett Haley (University of the Ozarks) by technical fall 19-2, and then took down Brennan Bear (University of the Ozarks) by fall (2:16) to advance to the third place match. In that match he defeated Benjamin Beaty (University of the Ozarks) by technical fall 22-7. 

In the 157-division Alzarius Boykins went 3-1 to take home third place with victories over  Tristen Riemer (University of the Ozarks) by fall at 2:56, James Johnson (University of the Ozarks) by fall at 1:37 and Chris Begley (Midway University) by fall at 2:02. 

Gatlin Taylor finished fourth in the 133-division after defeating Eric Harmon (Fontbonne) by fall at 2:40, while Jakok Wilcox earned a victory in the opening round of the 174-division knocked off Harry Rodriguez (Fontbonne ) in a 7-5 decision.

Next up for Williams is a trip to Marshall, Mo., to compete in the MoVal Invite Jan. 19-20.