BALTIMORE, Md. (Feb. 23, 2025) -- The Morgan State Bears concluded their regular season today with a home dual meet against the American University Eagles. The EIWA conference clash took place within the friendly confines of Hill Field House Gymnasium, but the home-mat advantage wasn't enough to propel the Bears to victory. Despite some individual bright spots, the team ultimately fell to the Eagles with a final score of 30-15.

The Eagles soared to victory, leveling their overall record to 11-10 and solidifying their position within the EIWA with a 2-4 conference standing. Conversely, the loss leaves Morgan with a 5-13 overall record and a 1-5 mark in their first year competing within the EIWA. While the season has presented challenges, the experience gained in their inaugural EIWA conference slate will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for growth and development in the program's future.

American seized immediate control of the wrestling match, dominating the opening bouts and establishing a commanding lead. JJ Peace set the tone with a decisive major decision victory over sophomore Julian Dawson at 125 pounds, followed by Raymond Lopez's swift pin of freshman Treshaun Tecson at 133, amplifying their momentum. Elijah White continued the run, securing a technical fall against sophomore Jimmie Jones at 141 pounds. Gage Owen solidified the team's strong start with a 10-5 decision win over sophomore Yannis Charles at 149 pounds, extending American's winning streak to four consecutive matches and putting them firmly in the driver's seat.

Sophomore Aaron Turner's electrifying performance at 157 pounds ignited the scoreboard for the Bears, securing a hard-fought 8-5 overtime victory against Devon Caputo. This win provided a much-needed spark for the team. However, the Eagles quickly retaliated, with Kaden Milhein delivering a decisive pin against sophomore Cooper Lockhart. Milhein's dominant performance further widened the gap, extending American's lead to a commanding 24-3

Morgan responded to the earlier setbacks with a burst of momentum, ignited by redshirt-senior Darrien Roberts' dominant 11-2 major decision victory against Breon Phillips. This was quickly followed by another win, as sophomore Kingsley Menfee secured a solid 10-3 decision over Lucas White.

However, the highlight of the match was undoubtedly the clash between junior Eric Washington and Liam Volk-Klos at 197 pounds. The two wrestlers engaged in an epic battle, a back-and-forth struggle that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. Ultimately, it was Volk-Klos who emerged victorious, sealing the win with a decisive pin that extended the Eagles' lead to a commanding 30-10.



Even in defeat, redshirt junior Xavier Doolin provided a bright spot for the Bears, concluding the match with a dominant performance against Carsten Rawls. Doolin showcased his wrestling prowess, executing a series of takedowns and near-falls that culminated in a decisive technical fall. Doolin concludes their regular season campaign with an impressive 13-4 overall record and a stellar 9-1 mark in duals.

While the loss marks a disappointing end to the regular season, the Bears will undoubtedly look to learn from the experience as they prepare for the upcoming EIWA Championships.
 

American 30, Morgan State 15
Hill Field House, Baltimore, Md.

125: JJ Peace def. Julian Dawson by MD 10-0
133: Raymond Lopez def. Treshaun Tecson by F :44 (10-0)
141: Elijah White def. Jimmie Jones by TF 16-0 (15-0)
149: Gage Owen def. Yannis Charles by Dec, 10-5 (18-0)
157: Aaron Turner def. Devon Capato by Dec 8-5 OT (18-3)
165: Kaden Milheim  Cooper Lockhart by F (1:17) (24-3)
174: Darrien Roberts def. Breon Phifer by MD 11-2 (24-7)
184: Kingsley Menifee  def. Lucas White by Dec. 10-3 (24-10)
197: Liam Volk-Klos def. Eric Washington by F (4:41) (30-10)
HWT: Xavier Doolin def. Carsten Rawls by TF 19-1 (30-15)

BEAR NOTE
Saturday's match was particularly poignant as Morgan celebrated 'Senior Day.' The Bears honored three exceptional seniors: Kevin Lopez, Darrien Roberts, and Nathatic Kendricks.



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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.