(MARSHALL, Mo., Feb. 8)- The McKendree University wrestling team lost its final dual meet of the season on Wednesday night, 25-15, at Missouri Valley College.

The Bearcats will begin their postseason on February 25th in Edwardsville, Ill., at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association North Central Championships. Matches will begin at 9 a.m.

McKendree found itself trailing 19-0 before sophomore Josh Ballard (Troy, Ill./Triad) earned a 11-8 decision win over Gian Traverso at 157 pounds to cut the deficit to 19-3. A decision loss at 165 pounds made the score 22-3, but a 6-2 decision win by Mandela Johnson (Westmont, Ill./Downers Grove North) over Jamaal Buford at 174 pounds brought the Bearcats within 22-6.

A decision loss at 184 pounds placed McKendree down 25-6 with two matches remaining. Redshirt junior Kyle Reid (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) earned a forfeit win at 197 pounds and redshirt freshman Ross Janney (Daleville, Ind./Yorktown) defeated Carl Lawrence by decision, 5-3, to end the dual in a 25-12 loss.