MIDWAY, Ky. -- Following a strong showing at the NAIA Challenge Duals in their last outing on Dec. 11, the Midway wrestling team began the second half of their season on Tuesday (Jan. 4) when they hosted Kentucky Wesleyan for a dual inside Hunter Field House.

The Eagles faced a 9-6 deficit following the opening three weight classes, but they quickly stormed back and won the final seven weight classes en route to claiming a convincing 40-9 victory.

With the dual victory Jake Brumbelow's squad improves to 7-3 on the season, while the Panthers drop to 0-6 following the loss.

The match opened with Midway's Andrew Vogeler (Martin, Ky.) getting a forfeit victory at 125, but the Panthers got a forfeit victory at 133 before posting a win via decision at 141 en route to taking a 9-3 lead following the first three weight classes.

Kaleb Clark (Kingsland, Ga.) picked up a forfeit victory at 149 to give Midway the lead for good before Daylon Stafford (Inez, Ky.) won a late point via riding time to post a 13-5 major decision against Owen Pulliam at 157 pushing Midway's lead to 16-9.

Pushing Midway's lead to double figures was Tyler Norton (Louisville, Ky.) who got a takedown in the first overtime to card an 11-9 victory over Clay Critchfield at 165 making the lead 19-9.

Jabril Williams (Cartersville, Ga.) and David Emfinger (Pine Mountain, Ga.) posted back-to-back first period pins at 174 and 184, respectively, and Isaiah McDougal (Madison, Ala.) won via forfeit at 197, while Byron Pierce (Paintsville, Ky.) put a bow on the 40-9 victory by recording a 3-1 decision win over Kairus Washington at heavyweight.

The Eagles are now scheduled to return to action on Jan. 6-7 when they compete in the NAIA National Duals in Louisville, Kentucky.

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