MVC MEN’S WRESTLING TEAM DOWNS BENEDICTINE WEDNESDAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Relations Contact:

Andy Pulverenti, sports information director

MVC MEN'S WRESTLING TEAM DOWNS BENEDICTINE WEDNESDAY

Marshall, Mo. (January  23, 2013)-  The No. 10 Missouri Valley College men's wrestling team went on the road to Atchison, Kan. for a matchup with Benedictine College.  Benedictine is receiving votes in the current NAIA Wrestling Coaches' Top 20 Poll.  The Vikings dropped just one match en route to a 38-3 team score

In the first match of the evening at 125 pounds MVC's No. 14 Freshman Ryan Stearns (Williston, Vt.) defeated Andrew Morgan in an 11-6 decision to give MVC a 3-0 advantage.

At 133 pounds No. 10 Sophomore Logan Welch (Lexington, Mo.) pulled out a 6-4 decision victory over Ben Randolph giving the Vikings a 6-0 lead in team points.

Freshman Todd Brockett (Farmington, Mo.) made it three victories in a row for the Vikings thanks to a 14-8 decision over Michael Cutherbertson putting MVC ahead 9-0 in team points.

In one of the closer matches of the evening MVC's Sophomore Willie Essex (St. Louis, Mo.) scored a 3-2 decision victory over Joe Hunter to keep the streak going for the Vikings and pushing their lead to 12-0.

The first pin of the evening came at 157 pounds as Sophomore Nico Martinez (Ontario, Ore.) pinned Ian Taylor in the second period moving MVC's lead to 18-0.

The Vikings scored a second straight pin as No. 7 Senior Gian Traverso (St. Helena, Calif.) was able to pin Hunter Stalford in the 165 pound match giving MVC a 24-0 lead in team points.

MVC's run came to an end at the 174 pounds as MVC's Freshman Taylor Smith (Platte City, Mo.) dropped an 8-1 decision to Stephen Loosbrock making it a 24-3 Viking lead in team points.

At 184 pounds, No. 13 Freshman Brett Bader (Farmington, Mo.) got MVC some more points with a 12-4 major decision over Connor Kenyon moving MVC's lead to 28-3.

The third pin of the dual came at 197 pounds as No. 10 Junior Carl Lawrence (Sullivan, Mo.) pinned Ethan Jirak to give MVC a 34-3 lead.

In the final match of the event at 285 pounds Senior James Alter (Kirksville, Mo.) defeated Rostell King by a 12-3 major decision ending the dual with a Viking 38-3 Viking victory.

The Vikings will next be in action Friday hosting NCAA Division II Maryville University in a dual.  Maryville University recently won the MVC Invitational.  The dual gets underway Friday at 7 p.m. at the Burns Athletic Complex.

ABOUT MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge‐based global society. MVC offers over 40 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and 13 sports. The most popular majors include education and business, and the newest majors are nursing, graphic design, dance, and hospitality/tourism management. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information visit

www.moval.edu.