Grand View wins NAIA title, led by three-time champion Eric Thompson and three other champs
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by Alan Grosbach NAIA
Grand View (Iowa) cruised to its third-straight team championship after tying an NAIA record with 193 total team points – an NAIA record 108.5 points more than the next team – in the 2014 NAIA Wrestling National Champions at the Kansas Expocentre. Great Falls (Mont.) finished in second place with 84.5 points, edging third-place Montana State-Northern by one point.
Grand View, which is the eight team in NAIA history to win at least three national titles, is the fourth program to win three-straight since Lindenwood (Mo.) claimed three-consecutive banners in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Additionally, the Vikings team total tied former member Dana’s (Neb.) 2006 point total, which previously stood as the national record.
Grand View ended the event with four individual national champions, highlighted by three-time All-American Eric Thompson. The senior 285 pounder controlled the entire match against first-time All-American Courtney Freeman of Cumberlands (Ky.), eventually grinding out a 17-2 technical fall win. With the victory, Thompson becomes the first three-time national champion at the heavyweight division since Jeff Thue of Simon Fraser (B.C.) accomplished the feat in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Thompson ends his career with a 14-0 all-time record at the national championships.
In addition to Thompson, Ryak Finch (125), Brandon Wright (141) and Chad Lowman (165) claimed national crowns, while Gustavo Martinez (141) and Dallas Houchins (157) finished runner-up after dropping a 2-1 and 5-3 decisions. Overall, Grand View had 11 of its 12 qualifiers earn All-America honors.
Lowman, who was the fifth Viking to take the mat, won his second-straight national champion with a 7-5 victory over three-time All-American Ethan Hinebauch of Montana State-Northern. The 165-pound senior won his first national title last season at 157 pounds.
Southern Oregon’s Brock Gutches, who won his third-straight title at 174 pounds with a 3-2 win over Jared Miller of Montana-State Northern, was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for the 57th annual event. Similarly to Thompson, Gutches has never lost in three appearances at the national championships en route to becoming the first three-time national champion in NAIA history at 174 pounds.
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) was the only other program with multiple national champions, including Jameel Bryant at 184 pounds. Bryant, who is the fourth national champion in team history, won his second-straight banner with a 6-5 win over Cody Linton of Cumberland (Tenn.), while teammate Joe Cozart avenged his championship final loss last season with a 5-3 win against Dallas Houchins of Grand View.
Bryant is the first 184 pounder to win two-straight national championships since Jeremy Engelhardt of Mary (N.D.) in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Six individuals earned their first national title – Finch, Bryce Shoemaker (133) of Baker (Kan.), Wright, Jake Williams (149) of Cumberland (Tenn.), Cozart and Jesse Hellinger of Dickinson State (N.D.).
Shoemaker is the first-ever national champion for Baker. The freshman grappler won a 3-0 decision against Justin Brooks of Indiana Tech, who was also wrestling in his first title match.
For more information on the NAIA Wrestling National Championships, click here.
NAIA National Championships
125 Results
1st Place Match
Ryak Finch (Grand View) 29-0, Jr. over Josh Heinzer (Midland) 25-13, Jr. (Dec 9-3).
3rd Place Match
Sean Silva (Embry-Riddle) 10-6, Sr. over Chris Padilla (Missouri Baptist) 20-10, Sr. (Dec 4-2).
5th Place Match
Austin Mogg (Concordia) 19-9, Sr. over Jake Stigall (Southern Oregon) 18-14, Fr. (Dec 7-2).
7th Place Match
Andrew Clark (Grand View) 33-13, Sr. over Oscar Marin (York) 27-12, So. (Dec 5-0).
133 Results
1st Place Match
Bryce Shoemaker (Baker) 34-7, Fr. over Justin Brooks (Indiana Tech) 20-4, Sr. (Dec 3-0).
3rd Place Match
Scottie Bonds (William Penn) 23-13, Fr. over Richard Rios (Dakota Wesleyan) 22-6, Sr. (TB-1 2-0).
5th Place Match
Michael Ruiz (Great Falls) 38-5, Jr. over Brandon Benvenuti (Grand View) 24-10, Sr. (TF-1.5 7:00 (15-0)).
7th Place Match
Mitch Pawlak (Indiana Tech) 26-13, Fr. over AJ Valles (Simpson) 27-11, Jr. (Fall 5:26).
141 Results
1st Place Match
Brandon Wright (Grand View) 25-4, Jr. over Gustavo Martinez (Grand View) 25-6, Jr. (Dec 2-1).
3rd Place Match
Cameron Neiss (Montana State Northern ) 39-8, Sr. over Kyle Wilson (Great Falls) 21-7, Sr. (Dec 8-7).
5th Place Match
Blake Fruchtl (Hastings) 38-8, So. over Brandon Westerman (Campbellsville) 16-8, Sr. (Dec 5-2).
7th Place Match
Wismit Moinius (Lindsey Wilson) 30-9, Sr. over Jason Arreola (York) 23-6, Sr. (Dec 2-0).
149 Results
1st Place Match
Jake Williams (Cumberland Univ) 36-2, Jr. over Colby Crank (Bethany) 32-5, Jr. (Dec 9-2).
3rd Place Match
Jake Ekster (Missouri Valley) 27-4, So. over Ryan Martin (Great Falls) 27-13, Jr. (Dec 4-0).
5th Place Match
Tyler Cowger (Southern Oregon) 29-13, Fr. over Tyler Lashbrook (Morningside) 26-9, Jr. (Dec 5-2).
7th Place Match
Colin Merkley (Embry-Riddle) 22-11, Jr. over Nick Haugen (Baker) 19-10, Jr. (Fall 6:11).
157 Results
1st Place Match
Joe Cozart (Lindsey Wilson) 24-2, Jr. over Dallas Houchins (Grand View) 25-10, So. (Dec 5-3).
3rd Place Match
Quinten Haynes (Grand View) 20-6, Sr. over Chad Cebulski (Great Falls) 31-15, Jr. (TB-1 4-3).
5th Place Match
Shawn McGhee (Campbellsville) 22-7, So. over Zach Skates (Oklahoma City) 38-13, So. (Inj. 0:00).
7th Place Match
Jordan Langley (Morningside) 24-13, Sr. over Tyler McMichael (Midland) 32-13, So. (Dec 3-2).
165 Results
1st Place Match
Chad Lowman (Grand View) 27-6, Sr. over Ethan Hinebauch (Montana State Northern ) 38-3, Jr. (Dec 7-5).
3rd Place Match
Kafuba Donzon (Indiana Tech) 34-7, Sr. over Trever Devestern (Dakota Wesleyan) 33-4, Jr. (Dec 5-2).
5th Place Match
Shawn Lau (Great Falls) 25-11, Jr. over Bryce Alexandar (Hannibal-LaGrange) 19-6, Sr. (M. For.).
7th Place Match
Trey Rhodes (Campbellsville) 25-12, Fr. over Eric Lopez (Menlo) 24-7, Jr. (MD 11-3).
174 Results
1st Place Match
Brock Gutches (Southern Oregon) 35-3, Jr. over Jared Miller (Montana State Northern ) 32-10, Jr. (Dec 3-2).
3rd Place Match
Jimmie Schuessler (Grand View) 30-5, Jr. over Jose Cruz (Embry-Riddle) 14-10, Jr. (Dec 13-7).
5th Place Match
Brady Beamon (Simpson) 27-8, So. over Eziekiel Hunt (Cumberland Univ) 27-12, Jr. (Dec 7-1).
7th Place Match
Erick Gomez (Lindsey Wilson) 23-19, Jr. over Anthony Pike (Briar Cliff) 23-7, Jr. (Inj. 0:00).
184 Results
1st Place Match
Jameel Bryant (Lindsey Wilson) 29-4, Sr. over Cody Linton (Cumberland Univ) 19-4, So. (Dec 6-5).
3rd Place Match
Joseph Sievert (Morningside) 14-2, Sr. over Trey Hicks (Life) 20-8, Sr. (Dec 7-3).
5th Place Match
Christian Mays (Grand View) 26-10, Jr. over Rulin Pederson (Morningside) 13-6, Jr. (Dec 5-3).
7th Place Match
Jacob Abrams (Southern Oregon) 29-12, Jr. over Dan Capp (Hannibal-LaGrange) 22-13, Sr. (Dec 7-4).
197 Results
1st Place Match
Jesse Hellinger (Dickinson State) 23-3, Sr. over Stephen Loosbrock (Benedictine) 25-7, Fr. (Dec 3-2).
3rd Place Match
Charles Johnson (Southern Oregon) 22-4, Jr. over Josh Manu (Missouri Valley) 36-6, Sr. (Fall 1:03).
5th Place Match
Garrett DeMers (Montana State Northern ) 28-11, Fr. over Samuel Johnson (Cumberlands) 31-10, Sr. (Fall 2:04).
7th Place Match
Eric Johnson (Calumet College of St Joseph) 13-11, Jr. over Jahwon Akui (Lindsey Wilson) 10-5, So. (TF-1.5 7:00 (16-1)).
285 Results
1st Place Match
Eric Thompson (Grand View) 33-2, Sr. over Courtney Freeman (Cumberlands) 35-6, Sr. (TF-1.5 7:00 (17-2)).
3rd Place Match
Gabi Musallam (Missouri Valley) 35-5, So. over Scott Brasil (Menlo) 19-11, Jr. (Fall 6:00).
5th Place Match
Saia Lotulelei (York) 23-6, Jr. over Austin Lobsinger (Simpson) 24-9, So. (Fall 6:58).
7th Place Match
Jacob Roza (Life) 17-12, Fr. over Clayton Burtis (Southern Oregon) 19-15, Jr. (Dec 3-2).
Team Scores
1. Grand View 193.0
2. Great Falls 84.5
3. Montana State Northern 83.5
4. Southern Oregon 80.5
5. Lindsey Wilson 73.5
6. Cumberland Univ 59.5
6. Missouri Valley 59.5
8. Indiana Tech 56.0
9. Morningside 48.5
10. Campbellsville 41.5
10. Embry-Riddle 41.5
12. Dakota Wesleyan 35.0
13. Simpson 30.5
13. York 30.5
15. Dickinson State 29.5
16. Baker 26.0
16. Menlo 26.0
18. Midland 25.5
19. Cumberlands 25.0
20. Bethany 22.0
21. Hannibal-LaGrange 21.0
22. Concordia 20.0
22. William Penn 20.0
24. Hastings 19.5
25. Benedictine 19.0
25. Life 19.0
27. Missouri Baptist 15.5
28. Oklahoma City 13.5
29. Calumet College of St Joseph 11.0
30. Briar Cliff 6.0
30. Northwestern 6.0
32. Brewton-Parker 5.5
33. Waldorf 4.5
34. St. Andrews 3.5
34. Wayland Baptist 3.5
36. Jamestown 3.0
37. Graceland 1.0
38. Truett-McConnell 0.0
38. West Virginia Tech 0.0
Grand View, which is the eight team in NAIA history to win at least three national titles, is the fourth program to win three-straight since Lindenwood (Mo.) claimed three-consecutive banners in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Additionally, the Vikings team total tied former member Dana’s (Neb.) 2006 point total, which previously stood as the national record.
Grand View ended the event with four individual national champions, highlighted by three-time All-American Eric Thompson. The senior 285 pounder controlled the entire match against first-time All-American Courtney Freeman of Cumberlands (Ky.), eventually grinding out a 17-2 technical fall win. With the victory, Thompson becomes the first three-time national champion at the heavyweight division since Jeff Thue of Simon Fraser (B.C.) accomplished the feat in 1991, 1992 and 1993.
Thompson ends his career with a 14-0 all-time record at the national championships.
In addition to Thompson, Ryak Finch (125), Brandon Wright (141) and Chad Lowman (165) claimed national crowns, while Gustavo Martinez (141) and Dallas Houchins (157) finished runner-up after dropping a 2-1 and 5-3 decisions. Overall, Grand View had 11 of its 12 qualifiers earn All-America honors.
Lowman, who was the fifth Viking to take the mat, won his second-straight national champion with a 7-5 victory over three-time All-American Ethan Hinebauch of Montana State-Northern. The 165-pound senior won his first national title last season at 157 pounds.
Southern Oregon’s Brock Gutches, who won his third-straight title at 174 pounds with a 3-2 win over Jared Miller of Montana-State Northern, was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler for the 57th annual event. Similarly to Thompson, Gutches has never lost in three appearances at the national championships en route to becoming the first three-time national champion in NAIA history at 174 pounds.
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) was the only other program with multiple national champions, including Jameel Bryant at 184 pounds. Bryant, who is the fourth national champion in team history, won his second-straight banner with a 6-5 win over Cody Linton of Cumberland (Tenn.), while teammate Joe Cozart avenged his championship final loss last season with a 5-3 win against Dallas Houchins of Grand View.
Bryant is the first 184 pounder to win two-straight national championships since Jeremy Engelhardt of Mary (N.D.) in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Six individuals earned their first national title – Finch, Bryce Shoemaker (133) of Baker (Kan.), Wright, Jake Williams (149) of Cumberland (Tenn.), Cozart and Jesse Hellinger of Dickinson State (N.D.).
Shoemaker is the first-ever national champion for Baker. The freshman grappler won a 3-0 decision against Justin Brooks of Indiana Tech, who was also wrestling in his first title match.
For more information on the NAIA Wrestling National Championships, click here.
NAIA National Championships
125 Results
1st Place Match
Ryak Finch (Grand View) 29-0, Jr. over Josh Heinzer (Midland) 25-13, Jr. (Dec 9-3).
3rd Place Match
Sean Silva (Embry-Riddle) 10-6, Sr. over Chris Padilla (Missouri Baptist) 20-10, Sr. (Dec 4-2).
5th Place Match
Austin Mogg (Concordia) 19-9, Sr. over Jake Stigall (Southern Oregon) 18-14, Fr. (Dec 7-2).
7th Place Match
Andrew Clark (Grand View) 33-13, Sr. over Oscar Marin (York) 27-12, So. (Dec 5-0).
133 Results
1st Place Match
Bryce Shoemaker (Baker) 34-7, Fr. over Justin Brooks (Indiana Tech) 20-4, Sr. (Dec 3-0).
3rd Place Match
Scottie Bonds (William Penn) 23-13, Fr. over Richard Rios (Dakota Wesleyan) 22-6, Sr. (TB-1 2-0).
5th Place Match
Michael Ruiz (Great Falls) 38-5, Jr. over Brandon Benvenuti (Grand View) 24-10, Sr. (TF-1.5 7:00 (15-0)).
7th Place Match
Mitch Pawlak (Indiana Tech) 26-13, Fr. over AJ Valles (Simpson) 27-11, Jr. (Fall 5:26).
141 Results
1st Place Match
Brandon Wright (Grand View) 25-4, Jr. over Gustavo Martinez (Grand View) 25-6, Jr. (Dec 2-1).
3rd Place Match
Cameron Neiss (Montana State Northern ) 39-8, Sr. over Kyle Wilson (Great Falls) 21-7, Sr. (Dec 8-7).
5th Place Match
Blake Fruchtl (Hastings) 38-8, So. over Brandon Westerman (Campbellsville) 16-8, Sr. (Dec 5-2).
7th Place Match
Wismit Moinius (Lindsey Wilson) 30-9, Sr. over Jason Arreola (York) 23-6, Sr. (Dec 2-0).
149 Results
1st Place Match
Jake Williams (Cumberland Univ) 36-2, Jr. over Colby Crank (Bethany) 32-5, Jr. (Dec 9-2).
3rd Place Match
Jake Ekster (Missouri Valley) 27-4, So. over Ryan Martin (Great Falls) 27-13, Jr. (Dec 4-0).
5th Place Match
Tyler Cowger (Southern Oregon) 29-13, Fr. over Tyler Lashbrook (Morningside) 26-9, Jr. (Dec 5-2).
7th Place Match
Colin Merkley (Embry-Riddle) 22-11, Jr. over Nick Haugen (Baker) 19-10, Jr. (Fall 6:11).
157 Results
1st Place Match
Joe Cozart (Lindsey Wilson) 24-2, Jr. over Dallas Houchins (Grand View) 25-10, So. (Dec 5-3).
3rd Place Match
Quinten Haynes (Grand View) 20-6, Sr. over Chad Cebulski (Great Falls) 31-15, Jr. (TB-1 4-3).
5th Place Match
Shawn McGhee (Campbellsville) 22-7, So. over Zach Skates (Oklahoma City) 38-13, So. (Inj. 0:00).
7th Place Match
Jordan Langley (Morningside) 24-13, Sr. over Tyler McMichael (Midland) 32-13, So. (Dec 3-2).
165 Results
1st Place Match
Chad Lowman (Grand View) 27-6, Sr. over Ethan Hinebauch (Montana State Northern ) 38-3, Jr. (Dec 7-5).
3rd Place Match
Kafuba Donzon (Indiana Tech) 34-7, Sr. over Trever Devestern (Dakota Wesleyan) 33-4, Jr. (Dec 5-2).
5th Place Match
Shawn Lau (Great Falls) 25-11, Jr. over Bryce Alexandar (Hannibal-LaGrange) 19-6, Sr. (M. For.).
7th Place Match
Trey Rhodes (Campbellsville) 25-12, Fr. over Eric Lopez (Menlo) 24-7, Jr. (MD 11-3).
174 Results
1st Place Match
Brock Gutches (Southern Oregon) 35-3, Jr. over Jared Miller (Montana State Northern ) 32-10, Jr. (Dec 3-2).
3rd Place Match
Jimmie Schuessler (Grand View) 30-5, Jr. over Jose Cruz (Embry-Riddle) 14-10, Jr. (Dec 13-7).
5th Place Match
Brady Beamon (Simpson) 27-8, So. over Eziekiel Hunt (Cumberland Univ) 27-12, Jr. (Dec 7-1).
7th Place Match
Erick Gomez (Lindsey Wilson) 23-19, Jr. over Anthony Pike (Briar Cliff) 23-7, Jr. (Inj. 0:00).
184 Results
1st Place Match
Jameel Bryant (Lindsey Wilson) 29-4, Sr. over Cody Linton (Cumberland Univ) 19-4, So. (Dec 6-5).
3rd Place Match
Joseph Sievert (Morningside) 14-2, Sr. over Trey Hicks (Life) 20-8, Sr. (Dec 7-3).
5th Place Match
Christian Mays (Grand View) 26-10, Jr. over Rulin Pederson (Morningside) 13-6, Jr. (Dec 5-3).
7th Place Match
Jacob Abrams (Southern Oregon) 29-12, Jr. over Dan Capp (Hannibal-LaGrange) 22-13, Sr. (Dec 7-4).
197 Results
1st Place Match
Jesse Hellinger (Dickinson State) 23-3, Sr. over Stephen Loosbrock (Benedictine) 25-7, Fr. (Dec 3-2).
3rd Place Match
Charles Johnson (Southern Oregon) 22-4, Jr. over Josh Manu (Missouri Valley) 36-6, Sr. (Fall 1:03).
5th Place Match
Garrett DeMers (Montana State Northern ) 28-11, Fr. over Samuel Johnson (Cumberlands) 31-10, Sr. (Fall 2:04).
7th Place Match
Eric Johnson (Calumet College of St Joseph) 13-11, Jr. over Jahwon Akui (Lindsey Wilson) 10-5, So. (TF-1.5 7:00 (16-1)).
285 Results
1st Place Match
Eric Thompson (Grand View) 33-2, Sr. over Courtney Freeman (Cumberlands) 35-6, Sr. (TF-1.5 7:00 (17-2)).
3rd Place Match
Gabi Musallam (Missouri Valley) 35-5, So. over Scott Brasil (Menlo) 19-11, Jr. (Fall 6:00).
5th Place Match
Saia Lotulelei (York) 23-6, Jr. over Austin Lobsinger (Simpson) 24-9, So. (Fall 6:58).
7th Place Match
Jacob Roza (Life) 17-12, Fr. over Clayton Burtis (Southern Oregon) 19-15, Jr. (Dec 3-2).
Team Scores
1. Grand View 193.0
2. Great Falls 84.5
3. Montana State Northern 83.5
4. Southern Oregon 80.5
5. Lindsey Wilson 73.5
6. Cumberland Univ 59.5
6. Missouri Valley 59.5
8. Indiana Tech 56.0
9. Morningside 48.5
10. Campbellsville 41.5
10. Embry-Riddle 41.5
12. Dakota Wesleyan 35.0
13. Simpson 30.5
13. York 30.5
15. Dickinson State 29.5
16. Baker 26.0
16. Menlo 26.0
18. Midland 25.5
19. Cumberlands 25.0
20. Bethany 22.0
21. Hannibal-LaGrange 21.0
22. Concordia 20.0
22. William Penn 20.0
24. Hastings 19.5
25. Benedictine 19.0
25. Life 19.0
27. Missouri Baptist 15.5
28. Oklahoma City 13.5
29. Calumet College of St Joseph 11.0
30. Briar Cliff 6.0
30. Northwestern 6.0
32. Brewton-Parker 5.5
33. Waldorf 4.5
34. St. Andrews 3.5
34. Wayland Baptist 3.5
36. Jamestown 3.0
37. Graceland 1.0
38. Truett-McConnell 0.0
38. West Virginia Tech 0.0
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