Graceland Wrestling Picks Up Key Wins at Grand View Viking Open

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Graceland University Yellowjackets competed in the prestigious Grand View Viking Open over the weekend, gaining valuable experience and scoring crucial individual wins across several weight classes. The tournament featured top NAIA and NJCAA programs, providing a strong early-season test for Graceland's roster.

At 133 pounds, Davion Wilson highlighted the Yellowjackets' efforts with three wins in five bouts. After an opening 9-4 decision loss to Drew Waldon (Cumberlands (Ky.)), Wilson rebounded with a fall (6:17) over Rev Baptista (Waldorf), then followed with decisions over Riddick Variano (7-0) and Mateo Mack (11-7). He was eventually eliminated by Hoyt Hvass (North Idaho College) by decision, 7-1.

In the 141-pound bracket, Corbin Porter earned a fall at 4:10 over Alex Hogan (Missouri Baptist) in the opening round. He later fell by tech fall (15-0) to Max Brady (Northern Iowa) and by fall (6:28) to Keaton Kloke (Southeast CC). Payton Harger also competed at 141, dropping bouts to Carlos Gonzalez (Grand View) and Robert Meza III (Missouri Baptist).

In upper weights, Chase Snyder (285 lbs) received a first-round bye before being pinned by both Lincoln McCarty (Iowa Lakes) and Will Restine (Carl Albert State).

At 157 lbs, Khalil Hampton dropped a tight 10-7 decision to Wiley Hegwer (Morningside) and a sudden victory (SV-1 10-9) match to William Cook (Jamestown). Hoakea Salter, competing in the same bracket, lost by tech fall to both Nathan Marquez (Cumberlands) and Corbin Reisz (Nebraska-Kearney), with a bye in the opening round.

Kayden Johnston (184 lbs) earned a bye before falling by pin in 2:06 to Caleb Dennee (Wisconsin). He was later eliminated by decision against Sean Cardoso-Thomas (Iowa Central).

Despite the overall team point gap, Graceland gained critical insight into positional wrestling and mat strategy. Multiple wrestlers controlled tempo in neutral and showed improvements from top positions.

"We're improving in every outing. This tournament gave us the opportunity to test our guys against some of the best competition in the NAIA and NJCAA," said head coach Evan Hansen. "The wins were earned through grit, and the losses taught us what we need to sharpen before conference duals. We'll get back in the room and keep building."

The Graceland Yellowjackets return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7:00 p.m. CST in a dual meet against St. Ambrose University, hosted at the Morden Center in Lamoni, Iowa.

For more information on Graceland Men's Wrestling and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.