OCU Stars Hold Off Missouri Baptist 20-18

Oklahoma City University held off Missouri Baptist 20-18 on Wednesday at the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex in a battle of top 20-ranked teams in NAIA wrestling.

Cody Sivertsen's victory at 197 pounds proved the difference for the Stars. Sixth-ranked OCU moved to 6-6, while 13th-ranked Missouri Baptist went to 3-4.

In the premier matchup of the night, Kidd Gomez of the Stars rolled to a 21-8 win over Detorius Prayther in the 125-pound match. Gomez, ranked eighth at 125, topped the fourth-ranked individual at his weight, Prayther. Gomez is a senior from Noble, Okla.

OCU tied the dual 9-9 on Mark Meyer's pin at 157. Meyer, a senior from Midwest City, Okla., tacked on another fall to bring his OCU career record mark to 65, Meyer, ranked third in the NAIA, pinned Alejandro Wajner in 1:03.

Zach Skates provided the Stars a 14-9 advantage with his victory at 165. Skates, a redshirt freshman from Broken Arrow, Okla., ripped Davis Keleher 22-7 in a technical fall. Skates holds the No. 3 national rating at his weight.

Teagan Franco increased OCU's lead to 17-9 with his win in the 174-pound bout. Franco, a junior from Spanaway, Wash., nipped Andrew Carter-Johnson 6-4. Franco stands 11th in the NAIA's 174-pound rankings.

Weston Keleher earned a fall in the 184-pound match to cut Missouri Baptist's deficit to 17-15. Sivertsen answered for the Stars, edging Michael Hahn 3-1 at 197. Stanley Lattimore held off the 11th-ranked 285-pounder in the NAIA, Julius Anglikas, falling 11-9 to secure the victory for OCU.

OCU competes next in the Missouri Valley Invitational at 9 a.m. Saturday in Marshall, Mo.