TexasWrestling
Gallery: (2-13-2021) Men’s Wrestling at SAC/KCAC
McPHERSON, Kan. – Four Wayland Baptist wrestlers qualified for nationals and Pioneer Johnathon Ortegon was named Newcomer of the Year as the Sooner Athletic Conference/Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Wrestling Championships concluded here Saturday.
Ortegon was joined by Seth Dixon and Alex Pena as automatic national qualifiers, while Gabe Gray is a nationals alternate.
“I’m beyond proud of the effort the men gave this weekend. They continue to improve each week,” first-year coach Kiiler Stephens said of the Pioneers, who as a team finished fourth out of eight teams with 120 points. Ottawa, Kan., took the title with 157 points followed by the SAC’s Texas Wesleyan with 145½ and Oklahoma City with 133.
Ortegon was honored as the SAC’s top newcomer after placing second in the 125-pound weight class. The redshirt freshman from Amarillo, ranked 14th in the NAIA, won both of his matches on Friday before falling in Saturday’s championship to Billy Sullivan of Oklahoma City University by major decision, 12-2.
“Johnathon showed why he is one of the top-ranked wrestlers nationally. He really had a great tournament. We expect him to do well at nationals,” Stephens said.
Dixon, wrestling at 165, also advanced to the championship where he fell to OCU’s Connor Holman by 5-2 decision.
“Seth had a phenomenal tournament. This is a kid who took a few years away from wrestling to play football. He has returned to wrestling and isn’t missing a beat,” Stephens said.
At 133, Pena placed third by virtue of winning his first two matches, falling in the semifinals, then winning his next two matches, first by fall over Kobe Nelms of Texas Wesleyan then by 3-1 decision over Pierce Mederios of York.
“Alex is the most talented kid I’ve worked with in a long time,” Stephens said. “He has such a huge upside and I’m excited to see how he does at nationals.”
Gray also wound up third at 125. Gray lost his opening match before winning his next three, the last by sudden victory over Texas Wesleyan’s Isaac Stalcup.
The top two finishers in each weight class plus four wild cards, as voted on by coaches, qualified for nationals, set for March 5 and 6 in Park City, Kan.
Team Standings: 1 Ottawa, Kan., 157; 2. Texas Wesleyan 145½; 3. Oklahoma City 133; 4. Wayland Baptist 120; 5. York, Neb., 68½; 6. (tie) Bethany, Kan., 62½, Oklahoma Wesleyan, 62½; 8. Central Christian, Kan., 15½.
Sooner Athletic Conference Awards
Wrestler of the Year: La’stot Pleasant, Texas Wesleyan
Tournament Outstanding Wrestler: Billy Sullivan, Oklahoma City
Freshman of the Year: La’stot Pleasant, Texas Wesleyan
Newcomer of the Year: Johnathon Ortegon, Wayland Baptist
Most Falls, Tournament: Jon McGowan, (4) Oklahoma City
Coach of the Year: Ray Bedford, Texas Wesleyan
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Johnathon Ortegon (12-2) placed 2nd and scored 15.5 team points.
- Quarterfinal – Johnathon Ortegon (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 12-2 won by tech fall over Terrance Smith (York (Neb.)) 6-9 (TF-1.5 4:12 (16-0))
- Semifinal – Johnathon Ortegon (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 12-2 won by fall over Harley Williamson (York (Neb.)) 21-5 (Fall 1:44)
- 1st Place Match – Billy Sullivan (Oklahoma City) 3-0 won by major decision over Johnathon Ortegon (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 12-2 (MD 15-3)
133
Jesse Diaz (7-3) placed 5th and scored 11.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Jesse Diaz (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 7-3 won by major decision over Logan Chappell (Oklahoma City) 0-2 (MD 9-0)
- Quarterfinal – Jesse Diaz (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 7-3 won by decision over Caden Emmot (Central Christian College (ks)) 3-7 (Dec 11-6)
- Semifinal – Kaden Goff (Bethany (Kan.)) 10-5 won by decision over Jesse Diaz (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 7-3 (Dec 6-2)
- Cons. Semi – Pierce Mederios (York (Neb.)) 17-5 won by decision over Jesse Diaz (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 7-3 (Dec 4-3)
- 5th Place Match – Jesse Diaz (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 7-3 won by fall over Kobe Nelms (Texas Wesleyan) 13-7 (Fall 3:35)
133
Alex Pena (7-1) placed 3rd and scored 13.5 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Alex Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 7-1 won by decision over Landon Crews (Central Christian College (ks)) 7-6 (Dec 11-5)
- Quarterfinal – Alex Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 7-1 won by decision over Pierce Mederios (York (Neb.)) 17-5 (Dec 11-10)
- Semifinal – Bobby Robinson (Ottawa University) 14-5 won by decision over Alex Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 7-1 (Dec 3-2)
- Cons. Semi – Alex Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 7-1 won by fall over Kobe Nelms (Texas Wesleyan) 13-7 (Fall 4:32)
- 3rd Place Match – Alex Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 7-1 won by decision over Pierce Mederios (York (Neb.)) 17-5 (Dec 3-1)
141
Bryan Pena (5-7) placed 6th and scored 8.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Bryan Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-7 won by decision over Jean Saint Fleur (Central Christian College (ks)) 1-7 (Dec 5-2)
- Quarterfinal – Parker Wright (Ottawa University) 16-4 won by major decision over Bryan Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-7 (MD 10-1)
- Cons. Round 2 – Bryan Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-7 received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 3 – Bryan Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-7 won by fall over Codey Cooper (Oklahoma Wesleyan) 0-2 (Fall 6:24)
- Cons. Semi – Moses Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 11-9 won by decision over Bryan Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-7 (Dec 14-7)
- 5th Place Match – Levi Youngwolfe (Oklahoma Wesleyan) 2-4 won by decision over Bryan Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-7 (Dec 9-5)
141
Moses Torres (11-9) placed 4th and scored 10.5 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Moses Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 11-9 received a bye () (Bye)
- Quarterfinal – Moses Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 11-9 won by major decision over Isaiah Jasso (York (Neb.)) 12-9 (MD 14-2)
- Semifinal – Jaxen Gilmore (Oklahoma City) 2-1 won by decision over Moses Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 11-9 (Dec 7-6)
- Cons. Semi – Moses Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 11-9 won by decision over Bryan Pena (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-7 (Dec 14-7)
- 3rd Place Match – Parker Wright (Ottawa University) 16-4 won by decision over Moses Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 11-9 (Dec 2-0)
149
Alex Bonner (5-10) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Jon McGowan (Oklahoma City) 4-1 won by fall over Alex Bonner (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-10 (Fall 5:26)
- Cons. Round 1 – Alex Bonner (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-10 received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 2 – Xavier Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 6-8 won by decision over Alex Bonner (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-10 (Dec 8-6)
149
Xavier Torres (6-8) placed 6th and scored 8.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Xavier Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 6-8 won by fall over Isaiah Frederick (Bethany (Kan.)) 3-7 (Fall 2:44)
- Quarterfinal – John Fox (York (Neb.)) 20-0 won by fall over Xavier Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 6-8 (Fall 2:09)
- Cons. Round 2 – Xavier Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 6-8 won by decision over Alex Bonner (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-10 (Dec 8-6)
- Cons. Round 3 – Xavier Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 6-8 won by decision over Ja`Melle Dye (Ottawa University) 4-6 (Dec 6-4)
- Cons. Semi – Jon McGowan (Oklahoma City) 4-1 won by fall over Xavier Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 6-8 (Fall 3:42)
- 5th Place Match – Jerome Cannon (Central Christian College (ks)) 5-9 won by decision over Xavier Torres (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 6-8 (Dec 2-0)
165
Seth Dixon (5-2) placed 2nd and scored 15.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Seth Dixon (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-2 received a bye () (Bye)
- Quarterfinal – Seth Dixon (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-2 won by fall over Lennorise Echols (York (Neb.)) 9-16 (Fall 4:27)
- Semifinal – Seth Dixon (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-2 won by decision over Dracius McKee (Texas Wesleyan) 20-5 (Dec 7-3)
- 1st Place Match – Connor Holman (Oklahoma City) 3-0 won by decision over Seth Dixon (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-2 (Dec 6-3)
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Hunter McCarty (12-7) placed 4th and scored 11.5 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Hunter McCarty (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 12-7 received a bye () (Bye)
- Quarterfinal – Hunter McCarty (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 12-7 won by decision over Ridge Smith (Oklahoma Wesleyan) 13-13 (Dec 3-1)
- Semifinal – Chase Vincent (Oklahoma City) 2-1 won by decision over Hunter McCarty (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 12-7 (Dec 5-2)
- Cons. Semi – Hunter McCarty (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 12-7 won by fall over JaMarcus Thomas (Texas Wesleyan) 6-9 (Fall 4:39)
- 3rd Place Match – Brahn Howard (Texas Wesleyan) 9-12 won by fall over Hunter McCarty (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 12-7 (Fall 5:16)
285
Nick Soto (5-8) place is unknown and scored 1.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Elwin Trejo (Bethany (Kan.)) 2-4 won by fall over Nick Soto (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-8 (Fall 5:33)
- Cons. Round 1 – Nick Soto (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-8 received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 2 – Nick Soto (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-8 won in sudden victory – 1 over Noah Short (Central Christian College (ks)) 1-8 (SV-1 3-1)
- Cons. Round 3 – William Mason (Bethany (Kan.)) 16-1 won by fall over Nick Soto (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 5-8 (Fall 0:59)
285
William Bennett (10-8) placed 5th and scored 14.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – William Bennett (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 10-8 won by forfeit over Nic Roller (University Of Saint Mary (ks)) 2-2 (For.)
- Quarterfinal – William Bennett (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 10-8 won by fall over William Mason (Bethany (Kan.)) 16-1 (Fall 0:58)
- Semifinal – Dalton Sikes (Ottawa University) 11-3 won by fall over William Bennett (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 10-8 (Fall 5:38)
- Cons. Semi – Rylan Bonds (Texas Wesleyan) 9-5 won by decision over William Bennett (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 10-8 (Dec 8-7)
- 5th Place Match – William Bennett (Wayland Baptist (Texas)) 10-8 won by fall over Marcus Cave (York (Neb.)) 10-11 (Fall 5:27)
