NW Arkansas News

The Eagles posted a fifth-place finish and had eight placers at the respected Pete Willson-Wheaton Invitational over the weekend in Illinois.

Jacob Dado (141) had the team's highest finish at second place. Jaylen York (157) and Ka'Ron Lewis (285) placed fourth. John Ward (174) finished seventh. Daniel Benoit (197) and Shelton Chastain (125) both finished eighth.

"We're so proud of this team after this weekend," said head Coach Vinny Barber. "Last year we finished 13th with four placers, and now to this type of result shows that our program is improving and our guys are starting to peak at the right time. The Pete Willson is an important event for our program. It's a really good opportunity to see some of the best competition in NCAA III. To be in the mix with some of the best teams in the country is good validation for our guys and their work."

Dado lost in the finals against Ethan Harsted (Wheaton) by decision. In his prior matches, Dado won by fall over Andrew Sas (Otterbein University) (Fall 1:11), won by fall over Kliever Joseph (Defiance College) (Fall 1:30), won by decision over Art Martinez (Case Western Reserve) (Dec 9-4) and won by decision over Cade Lundeen (Concordia College) (Dec 6-3). York won by decision over Tyler Bents (Concordia College) (Dec 11-6), won by decision over Nick Ross (Cortland State) (Dec 11-6), won by fall over Ramiro Guerrero (Olivet College) (Fall 2:12) and won by decision over Nick Nettleton (University of Mount Union) (Dec 10-6). Lewis won by fall over Noah Nieberle (Milwaukee School of Engineering) (Fall 2:38), won by fall over Austin Ryder (University of Mount Union) (Fall 1:11), won by major decision over Gabriel Martinez (Heidelberg University) (MD 14-5) and won in sudden victory over Shelby Jones (Wisconsin-Whitewater) (SV-1 4-3). Ward won by decision over Josh Heuss (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) (Dec 7-2), won by decision over Tyler Joseph (University of Chicago) (Dec 9-4), won by major decision over Nick White (Millikin University) (MD 12-2) and won by major decision over Vinny Querciagrossa (Augustana College) (MD 16-3). Benoit won by major decision over Stephen Andryc (Case Western Reserve) (MD 12-2), won by fall over Jackson Beck-Calvert (Adrian College) (Fall 2:40) and won by tech fall over Peyton Smith (Concordia University) (TF-1.5 6:19 (18-2). Chastain won by decision over Luca Paladino (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) (Dec 7-4), won by tech fall over Noah Houchins (Otterbein University) (TF-1.5 6:52 (18-2) and won by decision over Jase Van Pelt (Cornell College) (Dec 9-4).

The Eagles will host Drury University February 6.

Original source can be found here.