Viking Men's Wrestling Competes at Denker Open Sunday
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Marshall, Mo. (January 26, 2015)- The No. 10 Missouri Valley College men’s wrestling team competed at the Roger Denker Open at the University of Central Missouri Sunday in Warrensburg, Mo. Two Vikings finished as medalists at the event, with No. 1 Junior Gabi Musallam (San Diego, Calif.) placing second at 285 pounds. The Vikings competed against NCAA Division I and II programs.
In the 141 pound weight class Freshman Darren Trujillo (Albuquerque, N.M.) opened with a first round bye, but lost in the quarterfinals to Clay Archer of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in a 17-2 technical fall. Trujillo then lost in the consolation second round to Brandon Brindley of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in a 22-7 technical fall.
In the 149 pound weight class, Freshman Sterling Karr (Warsaw, Mo.) opened with a first round bye, but lost in the quarterfinals to Noah Teaney of the University of Oklahoma in a second period pin. Karr won his consolation second round match over Kelvin Grubbs of Northeaster Oklahoma A&M in a second round pin, but lost in the third round to Kristian Holgiun-Mendez of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in a first period pin.
Freshman Alex Destra (Auburndale, Fla.) opened the 165 pound weight class with a first round loss to Austin Allen of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in a first round pin, but won his consolation first round match in an 11-5 decision over Allan Person of the University of Central Missouri. Destra lost his consolation second round match to Nate Mateo of the University of Oklahoma in a third period pin.
Senior Nico Martinez (Ontario, Ore.) began his day at 165 pounds with a first round loss to Josh Eidson of Lindenwood University-Belleville (Ill.) in a 7-6 decision. After receiving a consolation first round bye, Martinez lost to Zeb Spicer of the University of Central Missouri due to a medical forfeit.
In the 174 pound weight class, Junior James Smith (Platte City, Mo.) earned a first round bye, then defated Zachary Balden of Baker (Kan.) University in the quarterfinals with a 4-1 decision. Smith lost in the semifinals to Parker Vonegidy of West Virginia University with an injury default in the second period. Smith then had to medically forfeit his final two matches, but earned a sixth place finish.
Freshman Justin Smith (Hollywood, Fla.) began the 285 pound weight class with a first round bye, followed by a second round win over Darius Lewis of Lindenwood University-Bellville (Ill.) with a 4-0 decision. Smith lost to Justin Scott of Fort Hays (Kan.) State University in the quarterfinals with a 3-0 decision then lost his consolation fourth round match to John Davison of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M with a 3-1 decision.
- Musallam then won his quarterfinal match over Jake McKiernan of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville with a 3-2 and advanced to the championship match with a semifinal first period pin of Justin Scott of Fort Hays (Kan.) State University. Musallam lost in the championship match to Zach Merrill of the University of Oklahoma in a 16-2 major decision to place second.
The Vikings will return to action Monday at 7 p.m., against NCAA Division II No. 1 Maryville (Mo.) University in a dual at Blue Springs (Mo.) High School.
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.