PARK CITY, Kan. - Eastern Oregon Men's wrestling was back in action as they competed in day two of the NAIA National Championships. After a long day of hard fought matches, Hunter Sparks and Kyle Knudtson solidified their position as 2023-24 NAIA Men's Wrestling All-Americans.
In the 184-pound division, Kyle Knudtson solidified his spot in the top eight of his weight class after a 2-1 day on the mat. Knudtson started his day off with a pin victory over Cumberland University's Rocco Horvath, followed by a 8-1 decision victory over Campbellsville University's Chandler Woenker. Knudtson dropped his final match of the day, tabbing him a spot in the seventh-place match on Saturday, Mar. 2.
In the 125-pound division, Hunter Sparks has earned himself a spot in the National Championship for the second consecutive year. Sparks went a perfect 2-0 on the day, starting off with a 12-7 decision victory over Life University's Antonio Saldate. He followed with an overtime decision victory in the Semifinals over last year's defending national champion, Life University's Brandon Orum. A come from behind, gutsy takedown in triple overtime sealed the victory. Sparks will take on Menlo College's Nicolas Aguilar on Saturday, Mar. 2 at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed on ESPN 3.
The Mountaineers currently sit in 13th place with 36.5 team points. More information concerning matches on the final day of the NAIA Championships will be released soon.
NAIA Championships Day Two Results
125
Quarterfinal - 3 Hunter Sparks (Eastern Oregon) won by decision over 11 Antonio Saldate (Life) (Dec 12-7)
Semifinal - 3 Hunter Sparks (Eastern Oregon) won in tie breaker - 1 over 2 Brandon Orum (Life) (TB-1 4-2)
133
Cons. Round 3 - 5 Jackson Cockrell (Grand View ) won by major decision over 13 Braden Carson (Eastern Oregon) (Maj 12-3)
184
Cons. Round 3 - 8 Kyle Knudtson (Eastern Oregon) won by fall over 16 Rocco Horvath (Cumberland) (Fall 5:00)
Cons. Round 4 - 8 Kyle Knudtson (Eastern Oregon) won by decision over Chandler Woenker (Campbellsville) (Dec 8-1)
Cons. Round 5 - Rylin Burns (Montana State-Northern) won by major decision over 8 Kyle Knudtson (Eastern Oregon) (Maj 15-4)
197
Cons. Round 3 - 14 Jay Smith (Eastern Oregon) won by decision over 11 Curtis Thomas (Reinhardt) (Dec 5-3)
Cons. Round 4 - 1 Bradley Antesberger (Doane) won by major decision over 14 Jay Smith (Eastern Oregon) (Maj 11-2)
