Baldwin City -- Following the University’s first dual meet in the school's 150-year history on Saturday night and a win over York College, the Baker wrestling program hosted the inaugural Dan Harris Wildcat Open tournament at the Collins Center on Sunday. With a come-from-behind victory the night before over York, the Wildcat wrestlers were fired up for a full day of wrestling action.

Named after retired Baker University Athletic Director, Dan Harris (pictured), the Wildcat Open hosted 14 colleges and universities from around the region, including Missouri Valley (Mo.), Hastings College (Neb.), York College (Neb.), Pratt Community College (Kan.), Colby Community College (Kan.), Fort Hays State University (Kan.), University of Central Missouri, University of Texas-Arlington, Northwest Missouri State University (Mo.), Dana College (Neb.) and Neosho County Community College (Kan.). More than 160 wrestlers participated in the tournament.

With a capacity crowd on hand, the first Dan Harris Wildcat Open went off without a hitch and ended with a short recognition of Harris and his family for bringing the sport of wrestling to Baker University before his retirement.

Baker University had a stellar first performance in tournament action, finishing the day with nine top-six placers. Leading the Wildcats was freshman Joe Pace (174, Platte City, Mo.) by reaching the finals and finishing second to the 2009 NAIA national runner-up, Alex McKinney, of Missouri Valley in a tightly contested match in a score of 5-3.

Others in the top six were freshman Jordan McGuire (125, Edmond, Okla.) placing fourth, Alan Callahan (125, Baldwin City) sixth, Zach Reeb (141, Topeka) fourth, Nathan Sommer (157, Parker, Kan.) fourth, Jacob Nowak (184, Overland Park, Kan.) fourth and Brandon Gebhardt (197, Sparks, Nev.) third. Transfers Andrew Hurla (157, Edwardsville, Kan.), Clarence Jordan (174, Waterloo, Iowa) and Jason Schweer (197, Waverly, Iowa) all placed in the top six as well with Hurla finishing fifth, Jordan claiming third and Schweer placing sixth.

With the outstanding performances by the Wildcat wrestlers on Sunday, five of them secured a spot in the NAIA National Championships in March by qualifying in their respective weight classes. Both Jordan McGuire and Alan Callahan qualified at 125 pounds, Joe Pace and Clarence Jordan qualified at 174 pounds and Jacob Nowak qualified at 184.

The Wildcats will be in action this Saturday, Nov. 14 in Mitchell, SD, at the Dakota Wesleyan University open. Action starts at 9 a.m. After returning from South Dakota, the Wildcats will host Concordia College (Neb.) on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.