[Wrestling] Men's and Women's Wrestling Falcons begin second season with massive Falcon Invite

Park City, Kan. – The Friends University Men's and Women's Wrestling Falcons opened up their second season as a program by competing in their annual Falcon Invite yesterday (Nov. 5) at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan.

The event featured 40 teams, making it the largest coed collegiate wrestling tournament in the country.

"Overall the Falcon Invite was a great success again this year," said Friends wrestling head coach Aaron Meister. "We've grown so much in just one year. Reflecting on the day of competition, I'm excited with how we supported each other and competed."

Gabriel Bowers (SO/Scott City, Kan. ) got the Falcons started in the morning with consecutive decision victories over Americo Fuentes (York University) and Kadence Baker (Texas Wesleyan University) before being tripped up by Robert Hernandez (Schreiner).

Jacob Grayson (FR/Round Rock, Texas) (six points), Ezavian Ortega (FR/Cannon, Colo. ) (5.5 points) and Gustavo Renteria (FR/El Paso, Texas) (5.5 points) led the Falcon Men overall. Grayson won his first match by fall, while Ortega was victorious in three bouts to advance to the semifinals of the 141 pound division. Renteria also came out on top by fall in a pair of matches in the 197 pound division.

"We had several guys go deep into the bracket to almost place," said Meister.

For the Falcon Women, Bailee Nelson (FR/West Valley, Utah) (17 points), Mylie Seigla (13 points) and Gianna Moreno (SO/San Marcos, Texas) (11 points) each put together tremendous performances at the Invite.

Nelson got a bye in the first match, advanced due to injury in the second match and then defeated Jordon Johnston (Schreiner) by fall to qualify for the championship match in the women's 155 pound division.

Seigla also won two matches by decision and one by fall to advance to the finals of the 136 pound division, while Moreno came up just one match short of facing Seigla in the championship by recording a pair of victories by fall and technical fall.

"On the girls side, we had three different girls not only place, but make the finals," said Meister. "Mylie and Bailee both made the finals and Gianna placed fourth."

The Women's Falcons will host a dual with Hastings College Thursday night (Nov. 10) at 6:30 pm inside the Garvey Center, while the Men's Falcons are next in action for a dual at Bethany College Wednesday (Nov. 9) in Lindsborg, Kan.

"I'm excited for what's ahead of us, because I feel we're just starting to see and experience success, which is a byproduct of all the hard work that everybody has been putting in," said Meister.

"Thanks to everyone who helped make this event what it is, #B1st!"