Eagles Dominate Twice on Senior Day
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Celebrating Senior Day and Family Day for the team's final competitions inside Mabee Fieldhouse in the 2022-23 season, Avila men's wrestling dominated both Central Christian and York in duals on Saturday afternoon, running their impressive team dual record to 15-3.
The Eagles took full advantage of their final opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd in what's been an outstanding second season of competition for the program. Avila first faced Central Christian and the Tigers got one win by forfeit and one by fall, but other than that it was all Eagles.
Tyler Johnson started the afternoon by grinding out an impressive 17-13 decision over Stephen DaBelko at 133, and Shaun Gates, in his Avila debut, took down Jarin Gomez via an 11-3 major decision at 174. Elsewhere, six different Eagles secured forfeit victories, helping Avila cruise to a 43-12 victory to begin the day.
And Avila's second dual was almost exactly like the first. York earned one by fall at 141 and both teams forfeited at 125 but Avila won the final eight weights to dominate the Panthers in a KCAC matchup. Three forfeits helped the Eagles' cause, but five Eagles won head-to-head matchups, putting the result beyond all doubt.
Johnson once again began the dual with a decision victory at 133, becoming the only Eagle to win both of his contested matches on the afternoon. Wrestling at 149, Logan Johnson avenged Avila's only loss of the dual at 141 by pinning Drew Lugafet in 33 seconds. Brad Mahoney won by fall at 165, as did Griff Qualls at 285; and Jake Callahan capped off the day with a 13-2 major over Shawn Pierre at 174, securing a 43-6 victory for the Eagles.
Terrell Carter-Williams, Christian Knighton, Daryus Webb, Corey Holmes, Logan Johnson, Mahoney and Qualls all won at least one match via forfeit on the afternoon.
Avila men's wrestling also celebrated its first ever Senior Day on Saturday afternoon, honoring lone senior Christian Knighton for all of his successes and contributions to the program over his two years in Kansas City. An early fan favorite and relentless wrestler, CK has won close to two dozen matches in his Avila career with more still to come.
Avila men's wrestling will next embark on a full week of dual action by traveling to face Friends on Wednesday, February 1 and then Oklahoma Wesleyan on Thursday, February 2. Both duals will begin at 7 PM and will air live on the KCAC Sports Network. Be sure to stay tuned to Avila Athletics on social media for live updates for all of Avila's varsity athletic teams.
