Wildcats Close Out 2024-25 Season at NAIA Men’s Wrestling Championships

PARK CITY, Kan. - The Baker men's wrestling team closed the books on its 2024-25 season after their three national qualifiers fell in the first day of the 2025 NAIA Men's Wrestling Championships on Thursday in Park City, Kan.

The Wildcats had three wrestlers in action with Saoul Prado (125), Christian Nishi-Rivera (133) and Nikolas Slatoff (149) all making their first appearances at the national tournament.

As the No. 15 seed in the 133-pound bracket, Nishi-Rivera won his opening round match with a 7-2 decision over Missouri Baptist's Dillon Witt before dropping his next two matches on Thursday evening.

Prado and Slatoff both made it to the second round of the consolation bracket after Prado earned a medical forfeit in his first match while Slatoff received a bye after falling in a close 9-6 decision to No. 10 Alex Pena of Wayland Baptist in his first match of the day.

All three national qualifiers were top-five finishers at the Heart Conference Championships a couple of weeks ago with Nishi-Rivera coming away with runner-up honors at 133 pounds, Slatoff taking third at 149 pounds and Prado finishing in fifth in the 125-pound weight class.

The Wildcats finished in eighth in the team standings at the Heart Championships and extended their 16-year streak of having at least three wrestlers qualify for the NAIA postseason.

#BakerBuildsChampions