MVC MEN'S WRESTLING RANKED NO. 3 IN PRESEASON COACHES' POLL

 

MVC MEN'S WRESTLING RANKED NO. 3 IN PRESEASON COACHES' POLL

 

Marshall, Mo. (October 23, 2013)-  The Missouri Valley College men's wrestling team enters the 2013-2014 as the No. 2 ranked team in the NAIA Wrestling Coaches' Preseason Top 20 Poll released Wednesday.  The Vikings finished the 2012-2013 season ranked No. 8 with four all-Americans.

 

The Vikings trail only No. 1 Grand View (Iowa) and No. 2 Montana State-Northern in the preseason poll.  Also ranked in the poll is Heart of America Athletic Conference member Baker University at No. 14 while Benedictine College is in the "others receiving votes" category.

 

The Vikings have 12 individuals ranked in their respective classes, tied with No. 6 Great Falls (Mont.) for the most among teams in the NAIA.  Leading the Vikings in the rankings is Senior Carl Lawrence (Sullivan, Mo.) who is ranked No. 1 in the country at 197 pounds.  The other Vikings ranked include:

 

Sophomore Ryan Stearns (Williston, Vt.) who is ranked No. 7 at 125 pounds, Sophomore Todd Brackett (Farmington, Mo.) who is ranked No. 12 at 133 pounds, Junior Brian Bitney (Puyallup, Wash.) who is ranked No. 16 at 141 pounds, Sophomore Jake Ekster (Houston, Texas) who is ranked No. 2 at 149 pounds, Sophomore Dylan King (Hamilton, Mo.) who is ranked no. 8 at 157 pounds, Junior Nico Martinez (Ontario, Ore.) who is ranked No. 11 at 165 pounds, Junior Riley Boomer (Sheridan, Mich.) who is ranked No. 7 at 174 pounds, Sophomore Brett Bader (Farmington, Mo.) who is ranked No. 11 at 184 pounds, Senior Josh Manu (North Providence, R.I.) who is ranked No. 3 at 197 pounds, Junior Daniel Mueller (Collinsville, Ill.) who is ranked No. 9 at 285 pounds and Sophomore Gabi Musallam (San Diego, Calif.) who is ranked No. 11 at 285 pounds.

 

The No. 3 Vikings will open their season taking part in the Oklahoma City University Open Sunday Nov. 3 at 9:00 a.m. in Oklahoma City, Okla.

 

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, honors program, extracurricular activities, and 13 sports. The most popular majors include education and business, and some new majors are ag-business, nursing, graphic design, and health information systems (associate degree). Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.