GLENVILLE, W. Va. – The UIndy wrestling team sent 21 wrestlers to this year's Pioneer Open at Glenville State University, and came away with three champions. Gavin Garcia took home the 149 weight class, while Logan Farnell and newcomer Michael Ortega claimed co-champion honors in the 165 weight class.

Along with three champions, the Greyhounds also had five wrestlers placed in their respective weight classes; Brody Lybarger (133), Christian Chavez (184), Ethan Farnell (197), Jadon Gyan (125), and Shane Bates (174).

The Hounds finished with a third place team finish as well, only behind Belmont Abbey and host Glenville State.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Garcia (149) went a perfect 5-0 on the day, outscoring his opponents 68-17 with two tech falls, a major decision and a pin victory. In his final match he took down No. 2 ranked Gabe Onorato in the championship match with a 4-2 decision.

"Gavin looked great today," head coach Jason Warthan said. "He looked really comfortable, wrestled his style and to his strengths.  He didn't give up any take downs today." 

Farnell and Ortega both claimed co-champion honors in the 165 division, after both had undefeated days that saw them face off against one another in the championship match, which resulted in a no decision.

Farnell received a first round bye before coasting through his three matches, including two shut out victories in his opening two matches, and capping his day off with a fall against Emory and Henry's Sebastian Gabarrete.

"Logan Farnell was really dominant today, he has an unorthodox style that frustrates his opponent but fun to watch," Warthan said. "It's great having him back competing for us. He had 26 wins and 15 falls his true freshmen year but was sidelined last year with an injury." 

Ortega needed one more match to get to the championship match, but used a tech fall, major decision and two decisions to earn his first championship title for the Greyhounds.

"Ortega also had a great day and found different paths to victory in each match, he seems to get better with each practice and every match," Warthan said. 

Bates was the next highest placing Greyhound, claiming a third place finish and going 3-1 on the day. Bates stumbled against the No. 10-ranked Hayden Pummel from Glenville State, but earned two closely contested decision wins, and a major decision in his first round match.

Chavez, one of UIndy's new transfers for the 2025-26 season, earned a fourth place finish in his first event with UIndy. The redshirt sophomore went 2-2 on the day, with his two wins coming via two decisions. His two losses were closely fought bouts, including a 2-1 loss that was decided by riding time, and a loss in the third place match to No. 7 Kylar Pickard, 12-9.

The freshman, Farnell (197) claimed a fifth place finish behind three tech falls, a major decision and pin, while Gyan (125) earned seventh, and Lybarger (133) finished eighth.

UP NEXT
The Hounds are back at it next weekend on Nov. 8 at Ohio University in Athens, OH for a dual against Ashland.