
No. 21 West Virginia Rolls Past California Baptist
January 11, 2026 07:09 PM | Wrestling
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 21 West Virginia University wrestling team defeated the California Baptist Lancers, 29-10, at the Mt. SAC Gym on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, on Sunday.
West Virginia (7-2, 2-1 Big 12) ended its road trip, picking up two Big 12 Conference victories to begin 2026.
After not facing Arizona State, graduate student No. 9 Jett Strickenberger represented the Mountaineers in the 125-pound bout against Cooper Shore. A quick start defined the battle as he won by technical fall, 18-3.
Freshman No. 16 Gunner Andrick picked up his fourth ranked win of the season with a tough victory by decision over No. 32 Richard Murillo.
The Lancers rallied, winning back-to-back matches to get on the board, trailing 8-6. West Virginia would go on to win five of the next six to dominate the match.
In the 157-pound bout, redshirt sophomore No. 2 Ty Watters bounced back after losing against Arizona State as he beat No. 33 Drayden Morton by decision, 6-1.
Redshirt freshman Shawn Taylor (165) used a late takedown and an escape in the third period to separate himself from CBU'S Timothy Cowan. He won by decision, 12-6.
Following Taylor, redshirt juniors No. 20 Brody Conley (174) and No. 23 Ian Bush (184) rolled past their opponents.
In the first period against Mason Espinoza, Conley scored a takedown and three nearfalls as he won by technical fall, 18-1.
Bush registered his third fall of the season as he defeated David Alonso.
Full Results
125: No. 9 Jett Strickenberger (WVU) over Cooper Shore (CBU) (TF 18-3 5:11)
133: No. 16 Gunner Andrick (WVU) over No. 32 Richard Murillo (CBU) (Dec 9-7)
141: Jesse Vasquez (CBU) over Jordan Titus (WVU) (Dec 8-3)
149: Paul Kelly (CBU) over TJ Langley (WVU) (Dec 2-1)
157: No. 2 Ty Watters (WVU) over No. 33 Drayden Morton (CBU) (Dec 6-1)
165: Shawn Taylor (WVU) over Timothy Cowan (CBU) (Dec 12-6)
174: No. 20 Brody Conley (WVU) over Mason Espinoza (CBU) (TF 18-1 5:22)
184: No. 23 Ian Bush (WVU) over David Alonso (CBU) (Fall 4:32)
197: No. 22 Rune Lawrence (WVU) over Eli Sheeren (CBU) (MD 12-4)
285: Tristan Kemp (CBU) over Brock Kehler (WVU) (MD 8-0)
West Virginia will face No. 14 Pitt in the Backyard Brawl on Friday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. at Fitzgerald Field House in Pittsburgh.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUWrestling on X, Instagram and Facebook.
West Virginia (7-2, 2-1 Big 12) ended its road trip, picking up two Big 12 Conference victories to begin 2026.
After not facing Arizona State, graduate student No. 9 Jett Strickenberger represented the Mountaineers in the 125-pound bout against Cooper Shore. A quick start defined the battle as he won by technical fall, 18-3.
Freshman No. 16 Gunner Andrick picked up his fourth ranked win of the season with a tough victory by decision over No. 32 Richard Murillo.
The Lancers rallied, winning back-to-back matches to get on the board, trailing 8-6. West Virginia would go on to win five of the next six to dominate the match.
In the 157-pound bout, redshirt sophomore No. 2 Ty Watters bounced back after losing against Arizona State as he beat No. 33 Drayden Morton by decision, 6-1.
Redshirt freshman Shawn Taylor (165) used a late takedown and an escape in the third period to separate himself from CBU'S Timothy Cowan. He won by decision, 12-6.
Following Taylor, redshirt juniors No. 20 Brody Conley (174) and No. 23 Ian Bush (184) rolled past their opponents.
In the first period against Mason Espinoza, Conley scored a takedown and three nearfalls as he won by technical fall, 18-1.
Bush registered his third fall of the season as he defeated David Alonso.
Full Results
125: No. 9 Jett Strickenberger (WVU) over Cooper Shore (CBU) (TF 18-3 5:11)
133: No. 16 Gunner Andrick (WVU) over No. 32 Richard Murillo (CBU) (Dec 9-7)
141: Jesse Vasquez (CBU) over Jordan Titus (WVU) (Dec 8-3)
149: Paul Kelly (CBU) over TJ Langley (WVU) (Dec 2-1)
157: No. 2 Ty Watters (WVU) over No. 33 Drayden Morton (CBU) (Dec 6-1)
165: Shawn Taylor (WVU) over Timothy Cowan (CBU) (Dec 12-6)
174: No. 20 Brody Conley (WVU) over Mason Espinoza (CBU) (TF 18-1 5:22)
184: No. 23 Ian Bush (WVU) over David Alonso (CBU) (Fall 4:32)
197: No. 22 Rune Lawrence (WVU) over Eli Sheeren (CBU) (MD 12-4)
285: Tristan Kemp (CBU) over Brock Kehler (WVU) (MD 8-0)
West Virginia will face No. 14 Pitt in the Backyard Brawl on Friday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. at Fitzgerald Field House in Pittsburgh.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUWrestling on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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