Wildcats Rally to Capture 27-20 Win Over Graceland

LAMONI, Iowa – The No. 17 Baker men's wrestling team earned its first dual win of the 2022-23 season after defeating (RV) Graceland, 27-20 on Thursday night at the Morden Center in Lamoni, Iowa.

Facing a 14-0 deficit, the Wildcats rattled off six consecutive wins – including a pair of pins – to rally from behind and come away with the early-season victory.

After a BU forfeit at 125, the Yellowjackets won the first two matches at 133 and 141 to give the hosts the opening advantage.

Dallas Koelzer opened up Baker's scoring with a major decision win (16-6) in his bout at 149 pounds. Jonah Muhammad followed with another four points after defeating his opponent in the 157-pound match by a 15-3 margin.

At 165, Joey Hancock kept the Wildcats' momentum going with a third-straight major decision victory to cut the Yellowjackets lead to 14-12 heading into the home stretch.

From there, Baker got its biggest lift of the night with Cael Johnson and Brett Bober picking up back-to-back pins in the first period of their respective bouts. Johnson earned a quick pin in his 174-pound match while Bober followed suit at 184 with another pin to launch the Wildcats ahead, 24-14.

Malachi Karibo capped Baker's hot streak by chipping in three points with an 8-5 decision at 197 pounds.

The Wildcats move to 1-1 on the season. Their next competition features a return to the Hawkeye State for the Grand View Open on Friday, Nov. 12 with action getting underway at 9 a.m. in Des Moines, Iowa.

#BakerBuildsChampions