Wrestling

Wrestlers Face Tough Test at Missouri Open
         The SIUE wrestling team will face a tough test Saturday in the Missouri Open in Columbia, Mo.
         “In the past, this has always been a tough tournament,” Coach Booker Benford said. “There will be a lot of Big Ten schools there as well as a lot of Big 12 teams.”
         SIUE is coming off a win over Missouri Baptist. The Cougars were down 14-0 but won the last six matches to secure a 25-14 victory.
         Matt Oliva (Bartlett) got the Cougars on the board with a victory in the 157-pound division. Mike Davis (Alton) and Branden Lorek (Hanover Park) each pinned their opponent. Zach Stephens (St. Charles, Mo.), Shaun Diltz (Mexico, Mo.) and Aaron Wiens (Cicero) each outlasted their opponent to help the Cougars to the victory.
         “Oliva’s win helped the team a lot,” Benford said. “After that match, we were able to regroup and get the team more mentally tough.”
                  -siue cougars-