MARSHALL, Mo. – Montana Moon and Korey Walker paced Oklahoma City University with third-place finishes in the Missouri Valley Invitational on Saturday at the Burns Athletic Complex.
Five Stars placed in the tournament as Matt Landgraff, Bryson McGowan and Chase Vincent posted fourth-place showings. Oklahoma City, ranked 14th in NAIA men's wrestling, took sixth place with 105 points.
The Stars finished in front of second-ranked Indiana Tech, which was seventh, and third-ranked Montana State-Northern, which finished 10th.
Moon, a sophomore from Chickasha, Okla., edged Rob Pair from MSU-Northern 6-4 in the 125-pound third-place match. Moon entered the tournament ranked 17th at 125 in the NAIA. Moon knocked off the sixth-ranked individual at his weight, Ian Morken from Menlo (Calif.), 6-2.
"Montana did what he has been doing all year, and that's grinding people out and finding a way to win when he isn't supposed to," OCU coach Sam Hazewinkel said. "He is moving up."
Walker, a junior from Midwest City, Okla., prevailed over McGowan 6-2 for third place at 285 pounds. Walker holds the third spot in the NAIA heavyweight ratings, while McGowan is seventh. Walker defeated 14th-ranked Shawn Beeson from Graceland (Iowa) and No. 18 Michael Stann of Concordia (Neb.).
McGowan, a senior from Hulbert, Okla., posted a 4-0 win over fifth-ranked Cooper Thomas from Grand View (Iowa).
"We have the best heavyweight room in the country, and it shows," Hazewinkel said. "Bryson and Korey thrive in these big tournaments. Neither got the finish they wanted this weekend, but look for them to get back in the room with fellow all-American Gage Johnson. By nationals, our heavyweights will be a force to recon with."
Landgraff, a senior from Weeki Wachee, Fla., fell 6-5 to Menlo's Alejandro Garcia in the 165-pound third-place bout. Landgraff is ranked 14th.
"When Matt is in his groove, nobody in the country can wrestle with him," Hazewinkel said.
Vincent, a sophomore from Yukon, Okla., dropped the 174-pound third-place match 9-2 to Brett Bradford from Lindsey Wilson (Ky.). Vincent, ranked eighth, knocked off Indiana Tech's Jake Weimer, rated 13th, and No. 19 Mahlic Sallah of Campbellsville (Ky.).
"I really believe Chase was on track to win this tournament," Hazewinkel said. "Look for Chase to score lots of points for OCU and make a title run this season."
Oklahoma City takes on Wayland Baptist (Texas) in a 1 p.m. dual Jan. 26 in Plainview, Texas.
