Bears Defeat Cal Baptist on the Road 18-16

Tuesday, December 30

Riverside, Calif.

3 p.m. MST | 2 p.m. PST

University of Northern Colorado

Cal Baptist

Jesus Ayala | UNC Athletics

12/30/2025 5:02:00 PM | Wrestling

By: Elian Soto, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Northern Colorado wrestling opened Big 12 competition Tuesday afternoon on the road against Cal Baptist. In a hard-fought dual filled with intensity and strategic battles throughout the lineup, the Bears secured an 18–16 victory over the Lancers.

The dual began at 174 pounds, where Murphy Menke faced CBU's Mason Espinoza. In a competitive back-and-forth match, Menke earned a 12–6 decision to give Northern Colorado an early 3–0 lead.

3-0 Northern Colorado.

At 184 pounds, Mahonri Rushton kept constant pressure on David Alonso. Rushton controlled the match and earned a 3–0 decision, extending the Bears' advantage to 6–0.

6-0 Northern Colorado.

Cal Baptist responded at 197 pounds as Tyer Perry took on Eli Sheeren. Sheeren jumped out to a 6–2 lead entering the final period. Perry mounted a late rally, but Sheeren secured a 13–3 major decision, cutting Northern Colorado's advantage 6–4.

6-4 Northern Colorado

At heavyweight, Enzo Cappabianca battled Tristian Kemp in a scoreless match through the first two periods. In the final frame, Kemp broke through with a late surge, scoring six points to give Cal Baptist a 10–6 lead.

10-6 Cal Baptist

Northern Colorado answered at 125 pounds behind Ayden Thomas. Thomas scored a quick take down in the opening period and carried a 4–2 lead after one. He extended his advantage to 5–2 after two periods. Although Cooper Shore earned an escape early in the third, Thomas responded with a take down and went on to earn a 9–4 decision, narrowing the team score to 10–9.

10-9 Cal Baptist

At 133 pounds, No. 16 Dominick Serrano took the mat against Richard Murillo. After a scoreless first period, Serrano earned an escape and a take down to take a 4–0 lead. Murillo added an escape point in the third, but Serrano held on for a 4–2 decision, putting the Bears back in front 12–10.

12-10 Northern Colorado

Ramon Salazar extended the Bears' momentum at 141 pounds against Richie Clementi. After two defensive periods, Salazar earned a late escape in the second to take a 1–0 lead. Clementi tied the match with an escape in the third, but Salazar capitalized on a take down in the final minute and secured a 4–2 decision to push Northern Colorado's lead to 15–10.

15-10 Northern Colorado

At 149 pounds, Emilio Trujillo-Deen faced Paul Kelly. The match remained scoreless after the first period. Kelly earned an escape in the second and added another point late to secure a 2–0 decision, narrowing the dual score to 15–13.

15-13 Northern Colorado

The Lancers took the lead at 157 pounds as Daishun Powe battled Drayden Morton. After a scoreless first period, Morton earned an escape in the second. Powe responded with an escape in the third to force overtime, but Morton scored the deciding takedown in sudden victory, giving Cal Baptist a 16–15 advantage.

16-15 Cal Baptist

With the dual on the line, Kilian Schultz stepped up for the Bears at 165 pounds against Timothy Cowan. After a scoreless first period, Schultz scored a take down and added an escape to take a 4–0 lead. He controlled the final period to secure the decision.

With Schultz's win at 165, Northern Colorado clinched the dual, earning an 18–16 victory in its Big 12 opener.

With the win, the Bears extend their win streak to two in a row under Head Coach, Teyon ware.

UP NEXT: The Bears will shift their focus and prepare for a quick turnaround as the team prepares for the Southern Scuffle hosted by UT Chattanooga on January 3 and 4.

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