#8 MEN'S WRESTLING PLACES 2ND AT STACKED MISSOURI VALLEY INVITE
MARSHALL, Mo. – Menlo College Men's Wrestling recently jumped two spots in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Poll and they made a bid to climb even higher with a phenomenal weekend of wrestling at the highly-competitive Missouri Valley Invitational. The event featured 42 teams, and Menlo College Men's Wrestling finished second behind only #1 Grandview. Anthony Orozco and Eric Reyes walked away champions to headline a list of seven individual placers.
The Champs are Here
Anthony Orozco continued to terrorize wrestlers in the 184-pound weight class this weekend in Missouri. The top-ranked wrestler steamrolled his way through the tournament, earning three technical fall victories and one pin. He knocked off three ranked wrestlers in the process including #11 Marco Renato or Eastern Oregon, #8 Riley Jaramillo of University of Saint Mary and #5 Colton Gonzalez of Marian University. Menlo's other champion, seventh-ranked Eric Reyes also put together a fantastic tournament at 141 pounds, claiming top honors. Reyes went a perfect 5-0 on the day, earning four decision wins and one major decision. He improved to 20-4 on the season with 5-0 record.
Seven Placers
At 133 pounds Blaysen Terukina finished in 5th place with a 6-2 record and wins over the #16 and #19 ranked wrestlers in the NAIA. At 149 pounds, Devin Everk had a great tournament, going 7-1 for a third place finish. Everk, who entered unranked, knocked off the #14, #15 and #17 ranked wrestlers, and did so dramatically with four total pins, a tech fall and a major decision. Jordan Bernal and Afton Silvis rounded out the Menlo placers, each taking home a seventh place finish. Bernal finished 4-2 with wins over the #10 and #19 ranked wrestlers while Silvis went 3-2 on the day. Joining Bernal and Silvis with a seventh place finish was 165-pounder, Alex Garcia who went 7-2. Garcia also managed to earn wins against ranked opponents, taking out the #5, #13 and #19 ranked wrestlers in the NAIA.
Big Man, Many Pins
Menlo heavyweight Elias Kennderyd might not have placed at the tournament, but he made a name for himself nonetheless. The freshman went 4-2, earning all four of his victories by way of pins. His bonus point-laden tournament earned him the award for most pins in the two-day tournament.
Three-straight in top-three
This is the third consecutive year the Oaks have placed third or better at this highly-competitive tournament. Each of the last two seasons, Menlo managed a third place finish. This is their best finish at the event in program history.
Up Next
Menlo will shift gears and jump back into dual action for the weekend, hosting Southern Oregon University on Friday, Jan. 24th at 7 p.m. inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion.