Beltran Leads Yellow Jackets at Spartan Mat Classic

NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. - The Defiance College wrestling team made the short trip to Manchester University on Saturday. The team took on a talented field at the 2019 Spartan Mat Classic. The Yellow Jackets finished 15th out of 22 participating teams. 

Rosendo Beltran (Toledo / Central Catholic) led the Yellow Jackets, finishing fifth in the 125 pound division. Beltran defeated his Case Western opponent with a 10-0 major decision in his first bout of the day. The sophomore then dropped a close bout to N. Berry from Baldwin Wallace by a score of 2-0. Beltran then moved to the consolation bracket where he picked up three more wins to round out his day. 

Also picking up victories on the day was Seth Beard (Napoleon / Napoleon), winning twice in 133. Raymier Hickerson (Cleveland Heights / Cleveland Heights) grabbed one win before moving to the consolation bracket in the 141 class, where he picked up two more victories. Cortez Bradley (Garfield / Warrensville Heights) won three bouts in the 149 class, all of which coming after a very close first round loss to his Wisconsin Oshkosh opponent.

Devonte Gaskill (Niles, Mich. / Niles) grabbed an opening round win in the 157 pound division. Tyler Houston (Swanton / Swanton) and Jacob Legge (Marysville / Marysville Early College) each grabbed one more victory a piece for the Purple and Gold in 165 and 174 respectively. Hunter Mcnutt (Oregon / Clay) wrapped up the day, snagging one win in the 184 weight class. 

The DC wrestling program will host their first event of the new era on Thursday. The Yellow Jackets will welcome in Mount St. Joseph for a dual, with a scheduled start time of 7:00 pm.