Sixth-ranked sophomore Brian Graham won two matches by major decision to help push the Vikings into fourth place after the first day of the NAIA Championships. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The Missouri Valley College men's wrestling team had considerable success on the first day of the NAIA Championships at Sioux City, Iowa, but the path to a fourth national title is strewn with obstacles.

On the positive side for the Vikings is that it pulled seven entries through to the quarterfinals, only one fewer than top-ranked Lindenwood and No. 2 McKendree (Ill.) and at least two more than any other team in the field. Six of Valley's 12 wins included bonus points, good for a solid fourth place in the current standings -- 3.5 points behind third-place Oklahoma City, which has only five on the winner's side of the bracket.

While the Vikings are in a strong position to finish as high as third, the down side is that they only entered 11 of the maximum 12 grapplers -- so catching the Lions, the defending NAIA champions coached by former MVC assistant Joe Parisi, and Bearcats will require a spate of upsets. At the moment, Lindenwood has a substantial 37-30 lead on McKendree.

Further hampering Valley is that it is open in three weight classes, with three of the remaining seven divisions doubled -- leading to the possibility that Vikings could face each other, which fourth-ranked sophomore Eric Graham and junior Brandon Nice could do in the 141-pound semifinal round if both win their quarterfinal matches.

Both won twice Thursday, with a pin to Graham's credit.

In the other two weights in which Valley has multiple entries, a head-to-head meeting is no longer possible on the top side of the bracket. While No. 5 junior Jon Gerhold (133 pounds) got through his two rounds unscathed, with a technical fall in the opener, junior Garrett Harding dropped his first bout.

The same held true at 149, where sixth-rated sophomore Brian Graham claimed two major decisions, while sophomore Brad Perkins was beaten in his opener.

Senior All-American Daniel Price has only one match on the first day, defeating a foe from Lindenwood.

Juniors Billy Exline (125) and Jeff Cobb (197) each won twice, both pinning their second-round opponents.

Freshman Charlie Gibbs (197) of Moberly and Michael Johnson (285) lost their first rounds to unranked foes.

The meet continues through Saturday.