Valley Weekly: Viking grapplers win nine medals

Former Marshall standout D.W. Bradshaw (top) began his season for Valley with a pin at the Lindenwood Open. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

ST. CHARLES -- The Missouri Valley College men's wrestling team began the season Saturday by claiming nine medals, one of them gold, at the Lindenwood Open.

The Vikings' lone title was secured by a newcomer, junior Joe Cornejo, at 157 points. Cornejo was a NJCAA all-America last year with a bronze medal for Labette (Kan.) Community College following two state championships at Haysville, Kan., High School.

Cornejo defeated a former juco national champion, Missouri Baptist's Matt Collum, in the preliminary rounds and claimed his fourth win in the finals against defending NAIA champion Ryan Moyer of Lindenwood.

Junior all-America Brian Graham came back from a first-round loss with six straight wins for third place at 149 pounds, where freshman Brandon Perkins placed sixth.

Another bronze medal was secured by freshman Jesse Alter of Kirksville, winning four of five matches at 184 -- including a pin of top Missouri recruit Brent Haynes in the medal round.

Freshman heavyweight Demetrius Rushing won five of seven matches for fifth place, which is where sophomore Alex McKinney -- the former Marshall all-stater -- wound up by going 3-2 at 174.

McKinney's former Owl teammate, sophomore D.W. Bradshaw, was seventh at 157 with a 4-2 mark.

Sophomore Charlie Gibbs (197) was 3-2 for seventh place, but a downer for Valley was a knee injury suffered by senior all-American Billy Exline in the semifinal round.

The fifth-ranked Vikings will hold the annual Purple and Orange Dual tonight in the Burns Athletic Center before taking part in the Central Missouri Open at Warrensburg on Nov. 16.

Men's Soccer

The Missouri Valley College men's soccer team closed the season with a tie and a loss, missing the Heart of America Conference Tournament with a seventh-place finish.

Sophomore Carlos Arriba scored the Vikings' lone goal Saturday during a 1-1 home draw with Central Methodist (7-8-2, 1-6-1 HAAC), which got its goal from freshman Paulo Vaz.

William Jewell (7-6-3, 4-3-2) ended Valley's campaign with a 2-1 decision Tuesday at Marshall. Freshman Roger Apel of Moberly connected for the Vikings (7-11-1, 2-6-1).

Women's Soccer

Junior Sarah Bottila and sophomore Jessica Yach each unloaded three shots during the Valley women's 2-1 home win Saturday over Heart of America Conference rival Central Methodist (6-11, 1-7 HAAC).

Valley senior Kendra Kaiser stopped 13 shots, but the one which got through was enough to give William Jewell (9-6-1, 5-3-1) a 1-0 road win Tuesday.

The Lady Vikings (5-11-1, 2-6-1) close the season in eighth place in the league standings.