Vikings solid at Reno meet

RENO, Nev. -- The Missouri Valley College men's wrestling team may be ranked seventh in the latest NAIA poll, but was first among its peers Thursday at the Reno Tournament of Champions.

The Vikings didn't earn any medals at the prestigious event, which replaced the Las Vegas Invitational, but was 15th overall with 28 points and third among clubs from schools lower than NCAA Division I.

Oklahoma State held off Edinboro (Pa.) for the tournament title, 146.5 to 132.5 points.

Valley got fine performances from three all-Americans: senior Billy Exline (125 pounds) and juniors Eric Graham (141) and Brian Graham (141).

Exline, ranked second in the NAIA, split his first two matches before reeling off three straight wins before being stopped again -- one victory shy of the medal round -- by fourth-seeded Michael Martinez of Wyoming.

Brian Graham did the same thing, opening with a technical fall victory before being sent to the backside -- then winning three in a row, two by fall, before being stopped by Cal-Davis' Barrett Abel.

Eric Graham lost his debut, but pinned two of his falls during a three-match win streak, then was eliminated on a narrow 8-6 decision by Edinboro's Joel Webster -- the No. 4 seed.

Sophomore Charlie Gibbs (197) of Moberly had a pin in the last of his three wins and sophomore D.W. Bradshaw (157) of Marshall split his four matches.

Sophomore Jesse Hulett (141) of Higginsville won one of three bouts, a 2-0 decision in the first round.

Red-shirt freshmen Jesse Alter (184) and Jacob Guernsey (165), sophomore Alex McKinney (174) of Marshall and sophomore heavyweight Travis Ewalt came up empty in two tries.

The Vikings have the rest of the holiday break off until Jan. 3, when they head to Blair, Neb., for the Dana Open.