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| 133 lbs |
22 ranked wrestlers. Among them three All Americans and three returning Missouri Valley Invitational place-winners, including last year's champion. We also have all four R12'ers returning from last year's championships as well. This is going to be a fun bracket from start to finish.
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| #2 Dom Chavez Texas Wesleyan |
3rd at last year's Missouri Valley Invitational, Dom Chavez has wrestled exceptionally well so far this season, earning a #2 ranking. He won the Friends Invitational against some very tough competition. Likely to get the #1 seed this tournament.
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| #3 Jackson Cockrell Grand View |
The Viking was 6th in the NAIA nation last season & the Missouri Valley Invitational champion. He plans on being so once again this weekend.
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| #5 Freddie Barajas Saint Mary |
A two time KCAC tournament champion and R12 in the NAIA nation last season, Freddie Barajas has shown that he can often wrestle well in tournaments. In his career thus far he's been 2nd-2nd-3rd at the Friends Invitational & he's made the Oppenheim finals twice. A strong candidate this weekend to be a MVI place-winner.
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| #6 Luke Rioux Indiana Tech |
A tough freshman who is proving himself in the world of NAIA wrestling. A state champion right there in Indiana, he looked exceptionally tough at the Patriot Open, making the finals.
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| #7 Sean Archuleta Arizona Christian |
Here's the cold hard truth of it. I'm a one man show. Johnnythompsonnum1 is me. That's it. It's not a team of people. It's not a group of writers. It is me. I try and keep up with as much NJCAA, NAIA, NCAA DIII, NCAA DII & NCAA DI wrestling as I can. On top of it, I even try to see as much Women's, NCWA and Usports as I can too. When you try and follow everything and everyone, you're gonna miss some guys here and there.
Truth is, I don't know anything about Sean Archuleta. He's flown under my radar. Obviously the true freshman must be pretty freakin' tough otherwise, he wouldn't be ranked 7th in the NAIA nation. I'm sure I'll learn more about him this weekend.
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| #8 Aaron Lucio Southeastern |
The Fire has been burning pretty hot this season, racking up some important victories and placing 5th in a very loaded Pepsi Patriot Open.
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| #9 Roman De La Cruz Saint Mary |
Roman De La Cruz was one match shy of being a Missouri Valley Invitational place-winner last season. Earlier this season he took 4th at the Friends Invitational, having placed 3rd the previous three tournaments. He was also 4th at the Pepsi Patriot Open. Should receive a notable seed this tournament, and I think he has the tools and ability to outwrestle it. No easy matches though. From R1 on, it'll be a fight.
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| #10 Cameron Clark Grand View |
Clark is a sophomore, but we didn't see a whole heck of a lot out of him last season. He is pure evidence of how much being in the right room with the right coaches can affect your performance. He was a good wrestler in high school. 96 career wins & a three-time state qualifier who placed 7th as a junior, but not the type you'd expect to be borderline NAIA All American potential this earlier in his career. That's something you expect more out of state champions and high state place-winners. As I've said and will continue to say throughout these previews, the Missouri Valley Invitational is to the NAIA what CKLV is to DI & what the Midwest Classic is to DII. You place here, that's almost as good as earning an All American award. Wouldn't that be a treat to see Clark earn a medal this weekend?
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| #11 Andrew Voiles Southeastern |
The popular saying is that "the rent is always due." Wrestling is an extremely demanding sport and no matter how well you performed yesterday, today doesn't care. You have to prove yourself every single time you step on the mat. Andrew Voiles was 7th in the NAIA nation last season, but has slipped a bit in the rankings. As we all know and as we've all seen multiple times throughout the years, even this season, it only takes one standout performance to put yourself back in the discussion. The Missouri Valley Invitational will be a good opportunity for the Fire.
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| #12 Chandler Akins Cumberlands |
A tough wrestler that will be competing for place-winner status here at the Missouri Valley invitational. Took an impressive 3rd in a loaded Pepsi Patriot Open earlier this season.
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| #14 Matt Terrence Doane |
A transfer out of Vanguard, Matt Terrence has been wrestling pretty well this season and has performed well at various tournaments. Looks to do well here in Marshall, Missouri as well.
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| #15 Randy Frailey Siena Heights |
I've written about it quite a bit already, and I'll say it again. Randy Frailey has been a big part of the successes that Siena Heights has accomplished ever since reinstating the wrestling program some years back. A WHAC champion he's had Pepsi Patriot Open finishes of 3rd & 6th. It'd take some major upsets and putting together a good run, but what a statement it'd be for Frailey and the Saints if he were to earn a top 8 finish this weekend.
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| #16 Devan Johnson Cornerstone |
Also a pole-vaulter on the men's track & field team, Devan Johnson was one match shy of being a Missouri Valley Invitational place-winner last season. He won't be able to use his pole-vault to propel himself up onto the award stand, but maybe his wrestling skills will get him there.
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| #18 Dillon Witt Missouri Baptist |
Dillon Witt is another tough wrestler who finished one match shy of being a place-winner at last year's Missouri Valley Invitational. If everyone who can show up, does show up it'll be a challenge to finish as high this tournament. Even tougher to finish better.
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| #19 Haden Hernandez Missouri Valley |
Very similar feelings and a similar analysis for Haden Hernandez that I just gave for Dillon Witt. A difference could be that Hernandez is wrestling on his home mats in front of his home people. Those factors can often be a motivational advantage.
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| #20 Daryl Mills Missouri Baptist |
The Spartans have another tough wrestler that will be in the war that will be this bracket. Daryl Mills wrestled exceptionally well at Oppenheim earlier this season, taking 3rd.
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| #21 Nick Rodriguez Lourdes |
Very anxious to see how Nick Rodriguez does this tournament. At 125 lbs, he was 4th here in 2023, and he made the finals last year. Life hasn't been as smooth sailing for the Gray Wolf up at 133 lbs. Seas have been a bit choppier. We still have a good two months left of wrestling. A lot can change in two months. This weekend gives Rodriguez a grand opportunity to prove that.
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| #22 Kolby Encinas Oklahoma Wesleyan |
A three time NAIA qualifier, it is guys like Kolby Encincas that you have to look out for when following a tournament like this one. You can sit down, go through the names, make your predictions and feel fairly confident within them. Then you see the name Encinas and realize that he's a guy that could plausibly spoil plans. Not guaranteeing anything, but wouldn't rule out seeing an upset out of him.
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| #23 Na'u McBrayer Providence |
We don't get a lot of stars in this sport out of Hawaii, so whenever we do, I'm pretty excited. McBrayer was a state champ, who is having himself a solid sophomore campaign here in '24-'26.
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| #24 Lane Scorpil William Penn |
Scorpil was an NAIA qualifier in 2023, but just barely missed out on NAIA qualification last season. Looking to reclaim his status, a good showing at the Missouri Valley Invitational this weekend would be a step in that direction.
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| #25 Christian Nish-Rivera Baker |
The senior from Las Vegas is getting an opportunity this season to shine and so far, he's climbing the ladder of the NAIA ranks. Looking for a good showing here at the Missouri Valley Invitational.
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