ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The fourth-ranked Ouachita Tigers went undefeated in Warrensburg, Missouri this past weekend at 2014 University of Central Missouri Duals. Ouachita went 3-0 on the day including a 22-19 win over seventh-ranked St. Cloud State. The Tigers will carry that momentum to Fort Wayne, Indiana this weekend, where they will compete in the NCAA National Duals.

The Tigers shutout the University of Indianapolis 44-0 in the opening round. The dual began with a battle of ranked 125 pounders. #4 Garrett Evans defeated #8 Josh Kieffer 5-4. #1 ranked, 141-pounder Josh Myers won by fall over Angelo Robles to give Ouachita a 13-0 lead. Freshman 157-pounder Tanner Bailey pinned Barry McGinley to increase the lead to 22-0. Technical falls by Dallas Smith and Blake Andrews closed out the Tigers shutout.

The Tigers second dual matched them against #7 St. Cloud State. After falling behind 3-0, the Tigers answered in the next match. Third-ranked 133-pounder Nate Rodriguez won by fall over Mike Rhone to five the Tigers a 6-3 lead. Myers followed uo with his second pin of the day and Ouachita increased their lead to 12-3. St. Cloud answered with three straight wins to cut the Tigers lead to one, 13-12. Wins by Payne Hatter and Smith extended the lead for Ouachita and a 14-4 major decision win for O'dell Lee put it away.

Head Coach Chris Chionuma talked about the importance of the win over St. Cloud.

"The,win over St. Cloud was a great stepping stone to where we need to be at Nationals. We got to see how we matched up against tough competition. We split matches 5-5, but we edged in front with bonus points. The loses will only sharpen us as a team."

The Tigers 32-9 win over Findlay in the third round was highlighted by major decision wins by 165-pounder Dexter Carter and Myers. Myers overall performance was not a surprise to anyone, as he continues to dominate his opponents this season.

"Josh Myers is the best 141 pounder in the nation," coach Chionuma said. "Every match he wrestles, he continues to make that statement. Josh has been with this program since the start and helped make it what it is today. There is no question that he is a great wrestler, but more importantly, a great leader for our team."

Coach Chionuma now must get the team ready for the National Duals where they join a field of 11 other Division II schools ranked in the top 20. It will be the toughest field of competition the Tigers have faced this season. According to Coach Chionuma, there is work to be done.

"We are not where we want to be in regards to performance but we are definitely heading in the right direction."



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