Wrestling 1/24/2025 8:38:00 PM

Clemmons advances to Quarters as 10 Phoenix Remain at the Missouri Valley Invite

MARSHALL, Mo.--Eli Clemmons advances to the quarterfinals on day one of the Missouri Valley Invite as the Phoenix still have 10 wrestlers in total heading into the final day.

In the 125-pound weight class, Ellis Haney went 1-1 for the day. After receiving a bye in the first round, he pinned Taye Jordan (Northwestern, Iowa) in just 1:27 but fell in the next round to Allen Calderon (Indiana Tech) in a hard-fought 3-0 decision. Teammate Truth Vesey also competed at 125, posting a 2-1 record. Vesey pinned Zachary Southern (Waldorf, Iowa) in only 44 seconds and followed with a 9-5 decision over Garrett Johnson (Oklahoma City) before being stopped by Kolten Powers (Montana State-Northern) via fall.

At 133 pounds, Aslan Nadeau went 1-2. He opened with an impressive tech fall victory over Isaac Perez (Friends University) but was defeated in the next two rounds, including a fall in the consolation bracket. Justin Bradford also wrestled at 133 and recorded a 2-1 mark. He secured a tech fall against Dariuz Black (Briar Cliff, Iowa) and a pin over Carlos Nunez (Montreat College) before falling to Roman De La Cruz (University of Saint Mary, KS).

Jared Dinh, wrestling at 141 pounds, compiled a 3-1 record. He earned a major decision over Kane Butrick (Northwestern, Iowa) before falling to Creighton Baughman (Concordia, Neb.) in the second round. Dinh bounced back in the consolation rounds with two more wins, including a fall over Ryan Anderson (Graceland University).

In the 157-pound bracket, Ellis Otting went 1-2. He opened with a 14-4 major decision victory over Mercer Ashley (Oklahoma City) but dropped his next two matches to higher-seeded opponents.

The 165-pound weight class featured two Cumberland wrestlers. Ethan Gomez posted a 2-1 record, picking up decision wins over Ryan Graves (Montana State-Northern) and Bridger Hall (Providence, Mont.) before losing to Weston Melvin (Cumberlands, Ky.). Meanwhile, Eli Clemmons had a standout performance, going 3-0. He earned a major decision in the opening round, a sudden-victory win in the second round, and another major decision over Brenden Parks (Missouri Valley) to cap his undefeated day.

At 174 pounds, Cameron Nesbitt and Anthony Pyron both finished 2-1. Nesbitt advanced with a bye before dropping a match to Leo Galasso (Indiana Tech). He rebounded in the consolation rounds with two tech fall wins. Pyron fell in his opening match but fought through the consolation bracket with a pin and a decision victory.

In the 197-pound bracket, Tyler Rowland went 1-1. He opened with a 4-0 decision win over Michael Moreno (Arizona Christian) but was pinned by Ryker Blackburn (University of Saint Mary, KS) in the next round.

Finally, at 285 pounds, Erick Willock finished 1-1. He received a first-round bye, then secured an 8-4 decision over Elijah Eslinger (Baker, Kan.) before falling to Johnny Cruz (Indiana Tech) in the third round.

Wrestling will begin at 10:00 a.m. as the Missouri Valley Invite will finish up tomorrow.

Wrestler	Weight Class	Record
Ellis Haney	125	1-1
Truth Vesey	125	2-1
Aslan Nadeau	133	1-2
Justin Bradford	133	2-1
Jared Dinh	141	3-1
Ellis Otting	157	1-2
Ethan Gomez	165	2-1
Eli Clemmons	165	3-0
Cameron Nesbitt	174	2-1
Anthony Pyron	174	2-1
Tyler Rowland	197	1-1
Erick Willock	285	1-1