ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The introduction to wrestling in the Great Lakes Valley Conference was a huge challenge for Davenport. They were pitted against fourth-ranked Lindenwood and 23rd-ranked Maryville in a pair of duals on Sunday to open up the season. The competition was stout as expected as the Panthers fell 44-0 to the Lions and 42-3 to the Saints.
Lindenwood finished 9-4 in duals last season and placed second in the GLVC Championships. The Panthers had nine wrestlers in the lineup having to forfeit the 133-pound match without someone to fill that spot.
Manuel Leija had baptism by fire as he led things off in his first collegiate match. The 125-pound tilt was very competitive as he fell 13-7 against Austin Kegley. The top returner from last year in
Jordan Ringler for the Panthers had the best chance at points at 149 pounds. He battled Gavin Londoff before falling 7-5.
Maryville finished 7-6 in duals last season and went 3-3 in the conference. They fell in the GLVC Championships to Lindenwood. Leija nearly pulled out a win at 125 pounds as he fell 3-2 in a decision to Anthony Pisciotta. Ringler had another tough loss at 149 pounds in a narrow 2-0 defeat against Tyler Stegall.
Sam Greco picked up three points with a 7-4 decision at 174 pounds over Bret Heil.
River Fox battled back after a loss by fall against Lindenwood to just miss out in a 1-0 loss at 285 pounds against Logan Radik.
The Panthers will venture out of conference for a pair of duals on Saturday, Jan. 16. They will travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to square off with Findlay and Tiffin.
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