Valley knocks off No. 2 McKendree

In a battle of nationally-ranked wrestlers, Valley junior all-America Brian Graham (top) was in command with a 10-1 major decision. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

LEBANON, Ill. -- The seventh-ranked Missouri Valley College men's wrestling team pulled off an upset on the road Wednesday during its first dual match of the season.

The Vikings won six of 10 bouts to beat No. 2 McKendree, 24-18, ending the Bearcats' eight-match win streak at Lebanon, Ill. -- which dated back to a Jan., 2007, loss to eventual NAIA champion Lindenwood.

Valley won the first three matches, each by a former all-NCMC wrestler, and was never caught. Starting it off was sophomore Alex McKinney of Marshall at 174 pounds, scoring four takedowns, a near-fall and a reverse during a 14-3 major decision over junior Andrew Cheesman.

Red-shirt freshman Jesse Alter (184 pounds) of Kirksville followed with a 6-5 decision over senior Tom Edwards, thanks to a third-period takedown. Sophomore Charlie Gibbs of Moberly, ranked eighth at 197 pounds, didn't give up anything more than stray escape points during an 8-3 decision over junior Chas Maloch -- giving the Vikings a 10-0 lead.

McKendree got its first win in the heavyweight match as sophomore Andrew Sanchez, No. 1 at 197 pounds, moved up in class and nipped No. 8 sophomore Travis Ewart, 3-2, with a late reversal.

However, Valley bounced back behind second-rated senior Billy Exline's 10-0 major decision over junior A.J. Ciccarelli at 125 pounds.

The Bearcats (3-1) closed the deficit to 14-12 with back-to-back wins: freshman Kyle Williams pinning senior Jon Gerhold (133) and No. 3 senior Jermaine Waye's tough 3-0 decision over sophomore Jesse Hulett (141) of Higginsville.

Then came what may have been the feature contest of the evening, although -- if so -- it didn't live up to its billing. Junior all-America Brian Graham, ranked second at 149, only allowed a penalty point while dominating No. 4 sophomore Ryan Jahn for a 10-1 major.

Sealing the victory for the Vikings was sophomore D.W. Bradshaw (157) of Marshall, who took only four minutes, 12 seconds to beat freshman Jeremy Ellingwood by fall. Sixth-ranked junior Aaron Winning's pin of Valley freshman Jacob Guernsey (165) in the finale was merely academic.

The Vikings (1-0) return to tournament play Saturday, changing their schedule to attend the Fort Hays State (Kan.) Open.