RENO, Nevada — The Eastern Oregon University men’s wrestling team started off a productive weekend with two dual victories in Reno, Nevada, prior to its competition at the Reno Tournament of Champions on Sunday and Monday.

The Mountaineers defeated Montana State-Northern by a narrow 21-18 margin, before cruising past Wayland Baptist University 33-7 on Friday, December 15. The two victories increased Eastern Oregon’s record in duals to 5-2 on the season.

Eastern Oregon 21, Montana State University-Northern 18

Eastern Oregon’s first dual against Montana State University-Northern was a nailbiter up through the end of the matchup.

The Mountaineers started off the dual on a strong note, winning the first three matches. In the opening 125-pound matchup, Eastern Oregon’s Hunter Sparks won by pin in 3:39. Braden Carson kept the momentum going at 133, winning by an 8-1 decision. Josh Collins extended the lead at 141, winning by a narrow 9-7 decision.

Montana State-Northern earned its first points at 149, as Eastern Oregon’s AJ Rockwell was defeated by Justin Windauer by a 10-5 decision. Eastern Oregon bounced back at 157, as Travis Sherman won by forfeit.

The Lights rallied the next three matches, winning at 165 by pin, 174 by decision and 184 by decision.

With the dual coming down to the last few matches, Jay Smith earned a crucial 13-6 decision victory at 197 to put Eastern Oregon in the driver’s seat. Despite dropping 285 by decision, the Mountaineers held on to win 21-18.

Eastern Oregon 33, Wayland Baptist 7

Eastern Oregon cruised to a one-sided victory in its second dual, defeating Wayland Baptist 33-7.

The Pioneers started off the math with a decision victory at 133, but the Mountaineers bounced back to control the entirety of the dual. At 141, Travis Sherman defeated Zack Pena by decision. Next up, Josh Collins won by decision at 149 to put Eastern Oregon in the lead.

At 157, Josh Camillo won by major decision against Vinnie Cramer. Cody Glenn followed in similar form at 165, winning by decision. Wylee Lindeen (174) earned a major decision victory at 174 and Kyle Knudtson (184) earned a tech fall at 184.

Eastern Oregon closed the dual in control, as Jay Smith won by decision at 197 and Darrian Hoobery won by forfeit at 285.

Coming off the duals, the Mountaineers are set to compete at the Reno Tournament of Champions. The tournament concludes on December 18.