Athletics Headlines: Spartan Wrestling Finishes Strong at NAIA Nationals

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March 11, 2008

Spartan Wrestling Finishes Strong at NAIA Nationals

Three Spartans earned All-American honors at the NAIA national tournament in Sioux City, Iowa this past weekend. Lead by junior Matt Collum (Neuqua Valley High School, Naperville, Ill.) who placed third at 157 lbs., the Spartans placed 16th. The 45 points scored was the most ever posted by Missouri Baptist at the national tournament. Collum, who entered the tournament unranked, finished the weekend 5-1, with four of his wins coming by fall. By doing this the junior won the prestigious Gorrarian award, that is given to the wrestler with the most falls in the least amount of time.

The two other wrestlers to earn All-American honors were senior Nigel Kinworthy (St. Charles West High School, St. Charles, Mo.) finished 6th at 184 lbs. & Ike Okenwa (Parkway North High School, Creve Coeur, Mo.) placed 7th at 197 lbs. Kinworthy becomes only the second Spartan wrestler ever to earn All-American honors in multiple years.

Three other Spartans competed in the tournament, at 157 lbs. Gerald Harris, (Parkway West High School, St. Louis, Mo.), and at 285 lbs., Michael Wakim (McCluer North High School, Florissant, Mo.). Each finished the tournament 1-2. Freshman 184 lbs. Jeff Bowman, (Blue Springs High School, Blue Springs, Mo.), finished 0-2 dropping two close decisions to ranked wrestlers.

When asked about his team’s performance Coach Brian Jackson stated, “I always want to do better. But looking at the season, I think we finished strong and have set a precedent for future teams to follow with scoring the most points ever at nationals and also having the most All-Americans in the school’s history.” Coach Jackson went on to say, “With two returning All-Americans and three other returning qualifiers. I think next year might even be better.”