Vikings third after first day of national meet

Junior Chad Williams, the Central Region's 174-pound champion, was among five Vikings to reach the national quarterfinals. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Five Missouri Valley College men's wrestlers advanced into the quarterfinal round of the 52nd NAIA Championships, Thursday at Oklahoma City.

The Vikings tallied 28 points on the first of the meet's three days, putting them in third place -- one point behind Southern Oregon. Lindenwood, seeking its fourth title in five years, leads the field with 37 points and eight entries remaining in the championship bracket.

The Graham brothers both won their first two matches, eight-ranked junior Eric (141 pounds) pinning both of his opponents and No. 4 Brian (149) getting a technical fall in his debut.

Sophomore Alex McKinney, the sixth-rated 174-pounder from Marshall, also posted a technical fall (19-3) in his opener and won a 6-4 decision in the second round.

The Central Region's "outstanding wrestler," top-ranked junior Joe Cornjeo (157), pinned his first foe and beat No. 8 senior Matt Collum of Missouri Baptist, 4-1, in the second round.

Another regional champion, seventh-ranked junior Chad Williams (184), won two close decisions -- the first with an overtime takedown..

Valley also got opening-round victories from senior all-Americans Billy Exline (125) and Jon Gerhold (133) and freshman Paulie Hansen (125), but each was beaten in their second outings.

Sophomore Charlie Gibbs (184) of Moberly, sixth-rated junior Ryan Sutton (197) and No. 4 sophomore heavyweight Travis Ewart were all defeated in their first appearances on the mat -- Gibbs' pin by fourth-ranked sophomore Christopher Platt of Southern Oregon, the only result which was not an upset.

Of the top six teams, the Vikings have the fewest quarterfinalists, which will make climbing in the standings more difficult since lower point values are awarded on wrestleback bouts.