NAIA men’s finals set, as Grand View, with six finalists, led Life by 30 points after the semifinals

Grand View men’s wrestling team image courtesy of Grand View Athletics.


PARK CITY, Kansas – Defending champion Grand View kept on course to defend as NAIA Nationals team champion by pushing six wrestlers into the finals, and leading Life by 30 points, 170 to 140, after the semifinals round. Southeastern was in third with 77.5 points.


Grand View finalists are No. 1 Carson Taylor (133), No. 5 Shea Ruffridge (141), No. 2 Israel Casarez (157), No. 1 Isaiah Luellen (174), No. 3 Owen Braungardt (197) and No. 1 Greg Hagen (285).


Life has five finalists: No. 2 Brandon Orum (125), No. 2 Julian Hernandez (141), No. 5 Asher Eichert (184), No. 1 Zane Lanham (197) and No. 3 Austin Harris (285).


Five No. 1 seeds knocked off in the semifinals. They were:

• Esco Walker of Grand View (who lost to No. 4 Hunter Sparks of Eastern Oregon at 125)

• Baterdene Boldmaa of Doane (who fell 6-5 to No. 5 Shea Ruffridge of Grand View at 141)

• Giovanni Bonilla of Grand View (who fell to No. 5 Sal Silva of Southeastern at 157)

• Jack Bass of Life (who fell to No. 4 David Rubio of Corban at 165)

• Eric Vermillion of Indiana Tech (who fell to No. 5 Asher Eichert of Life at 184)

NAIA MEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

At Park City, Kan., March 4


Finals pairings

125 - 2 Brandon Orum (Life) vs. 4 Hunter Sparks (Eastern Oregon)

133 - 1 Carson Taylor (Grand View) vs. 3 Gulomjon Abdullaev (Menlo)

141 - 2 Julian Hernandez (Life) vs. 5 Shea Ruffridge (Grand View)

157 - 5 Sal Silva (Southeastern) vs. 2 Israel Casarez (Grand View)

165 - 4 David Rubio (Corban) vs. 6 Rysan Leong (Menlo)

174 - 1 Isaiah Luellen (Grand View) vs. 3 Gerardo Hernandez (Vanguard)

184 - 5 Asher Eichert (Life) vs. 14 Coleman Bryant (Southeastern)

197 - 1 Zane Lanham (Life) vs. 3 Owen Braungardt (Grand View)

285 - 1 Greg Hagen (Grand View) vs. 3 Austin Harris (Life)

Semifinal results


125

4 Hunter Sparks (Eastern Oregon) won by decision over 1 Esco Walker (Grand View) Dec 5-3

2 Brandon Orum (Life) won by decision over 14 Riley Siason (Menlo) Dec 1-0


133

1 Carson Taylor (Grand View) won by decision over 4 Blake Mulkey (Marian) Dec 7-4

3 Gulomjon Abdullaev (Menlo) won by major decision over 7 Evan Potter (Southern Oregon) Maj 11-0


141

5 Shea Ruffridge (Grand View) won by decision over 1 Baterdene Boldmaa (Doane) Dec 6-5

2 Julian Hernandez (Life) won by decision over 6 Patrick Gould (Keiser) Dec 4-3


149

1 Ryan Moore (Thomas More) won in sudden victory - 1 over 5 Keegan Luton (Oklahoma City) SV-1 6-4

3 Brevin Balmeceda (Life) won by decision over 2 Blake Gonzalez (Grand View) Dec 6-0


157

5 Sal Silva (Southeastern) won by decision over 1 Giovanni Bonilla (Grand View) Dec 4-3

2 Israel Casarez (Grand View) won by decision over 3 Nate Wheeler (Indiana Tech) Dec 3-2


165

4 David Rubio (Corban) won by decision over 1 Jack Bass (Life) Dec 3-2

6 Rysan Leong (Menlo) won by decision over 2 Marty Margolis (Grand View) Dec 5-4


174

1 Isaiah Luellen (Grand View) won by decision over 4 Nakoda Siegel (Montana State - Northern) Dec 3-2

3 Gerardo Hernandez (Vanguard) won by decision over 2 Riley Smucker (Life) Dec 3-2


184

5 Asher Eichert (Life) won by decision over 1 Eric Vermillion (Indiana Tech) Dec 4-1

14 Coleman Bryant (Southeastern) won by decision over 2 Ben Lee (Grand View) Dec 2-1


197

1 Zane Lanham (Life) won by decision over 4 Malachi Karibo (Baker) Dec 6-4

3 Owen Braungardt (Grand View) won by major decision over 7 Jack Servies (Marian) Maj 12-2


NAIA 285

1 Greg Hagen (Grand View) won by decision over 5 Gabe Jacobs (Southeastern) Dec 7-3

3 Austin Harris (Life) won by decision over 2 KC Buday (Providence) Dec 8-3

Team Standings after semifinals

1 Grand View 170.0

2 Life 140.0

3 Southeastern 77.5

4 Menlo 64.0

5 Indiana Tech 54.5