MVC MEN'S WRESTLING TO SEND 11 MEMBERS TO NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

 

 

MVC MEN'S WRESTLING TO SEND 11 MEMBERS TO NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

 

Marshall, Mo. (February 19, 2013)-  The No. 7 Missouri Valley College men's wrestling team had eleven student-athletes qualify for the 2013 NAIA Wrestling National Championship.  The 56th annual event will take place March 1 – 2 at the Jacobson Exhibition Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

 

"I am really excited for next week," says Head Coach Mike Machholz.  "We are preparing this group of two seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and five freshman to battle for the title!   I expect this team to be ready, and it is our staff's job to make sure of it."

 

Viking student-athletes set to compete at the 2013 NAIA Wrestling National Championship are; Freshman Ryan Stearns (Williston, Vt.) at 125 pounds, Sophomore Logan Welch (Lexington, Mo.) at 133 pounds, Freshman Todd Brackett (Farmington, Mo.) at 141 pounds, Freshman Jake Ekster (Houston, Texas) at 149 pounds, Freshman Dylan King (Hamilton, Mo.) at 157 pounds, Senior Gian Traverso (St. Helena, Calif.) at 165 pounds, Freshman Brett Bader (Farmington, Mo.) at 189 pounds, Junior Josh Manu (North Providence, R.I.) at 197 pounds, Junior Carl Lawrence (Sullivan, Mo.) at 197 pounds, Senior James Alter (Kirksville, Mo.) at 285 pounds, and Junior Dan Mueller (Collinsville, Ill.) at 285 pounds.

 

"I was pleased with our performance overall, this was the first time this season that we performed consistently as a team," says Machholz.  "With that said we still left room for improvement for possible points on the board.   By qualifying 11 of 12 we have put ourselves in the hunt for a trophy."

 

The Vikings have won three National championships under Machholz, winning titles in 1996-1997 and 2003.  In 2012 the Vikings finished sixth in the team standings.

 

"Grandview, Great Falls and Southern Oregon are the teams with all the pressure that everyone expects to be at top but we have a shot to do something very special if this young group stays focused," says Machholz.   "Individually, Josh Manu had a monster tournament defeating an all-American from Baker, the No. 6 ranked wrestler from William Penn 197 and the No. 1 guy from Grandview.    He has really gained confidence and I look for him to be right there for the title."

 

"Carl Lawrence, our "other " 197 lost a very close decision to the Grandview kid and defeated last year's No. 3 guy from OCU twice to improve his record to 18-5 since Christmas.   Both of them should medal very high," says Machholz.

 

"Jake Ekster and Ryan Stearns were our other two finalist making a statement going into the championships.   Jake has been recovering from a knee injury but is about back to form, while Stearns continues to improve."

 

"Senior Gian Traverso at 165 competed in what may be the toughest weight at our regional with all six placers being ranked in the top 10 nationally," says Machholz.  "That is a weight that everyone keeps beating each other but I am sure he will contend for the championship in Des Moines."

 

Our heavyweights, Dan Mueller and James Alter, both performed very well in another great weight," says Machholz.  "They ran into the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked guys in the semis and finish up fourth and fifth but should both be able to medal."