WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 21, 2018)-- Four grapplers placed for Mules Wrestling in their home tournament, the Roger Denker Open, on Sunday afternoon at the Multipurpose Building. It was the first home event for Central Missouri this season, as the team had yet to be home prior to Sunday's tournament.
Tyler Selemaea led the way for the Mules going 3-1 at 174 pounds to place second.
Shea Conley went 2-2 at 157 pounds to grab a fourth place finish and
Zach Benner was fifth at 184 pounds with a 2-1 record.
Dominique Hampton was the final placewinner as he was named a consolation champion with a 1-1 record at 197 pounds. Officially, he placed seventh for UCM.
Selemaea picked up all three of his wins by way of decision. He scored a 9-4 win to start the day, then won a tight 2-1 decision to make it to the semifinals. In the semis, Selemaea once again won a close battle, 3-2, to make the championship. The championship bout was his only loss as he fell 4-1 to Taylor Watkins of Missouri.
Conley had a strong start to his day winning his first two matches before dropping his final two. His first match was a win by fall in :20 over Joseph Santos of Ouachita Baptist. He repeated his first round performance with another pin, this time in 3:58, to advance to the semis. His third match was hard fought, but he dropped a 6-5 decision. He placed fourth after dropping a 13-4 major decision in the third place match.
Benner received a bye in the first round before wrestling. His lone loss was in the next round as he fell via 17-0 technical fall. Benner responded with back-to-back wins to place in the top five. His first win was a 5-3 decision. He then followed that up with a 12-1 major decision over Justin Cates of Northeastern Oklahoma to end his day.
Hampton's first match was a tough one as he gave up a 20-5 tech fall against Gus Boyd of Northeastern Oklahoma. He then received back-to-back byes before meeting his next opponent. Hampton's opponent was teammate
Albert Gonz. The match ended early due to an injury default by Gonz, giving Hampton the sixth place finish.
Dakota Huss was the only other grappler to finish with a winning record as he went 2-1 at 157 pounds. His one loss was his first match via a 18-3 tech fall. His first win was a hard contested 6-5 decision over Sean Butler of Ouachita Baptist. His second win was due to a medical forfeit by teammate
Steffon Fassett who competed unattached.
After having their first home tournament of the season, the Mules will also have their first home dual of the season this Wednesday, Jan. 24. They will host MIAA foe Nebraska-Kearney in the Multi, with mat action getting underway at 7 p.m.
