By Daijah White / Sports Editor

The number 18 Missouri Valley College Men’s Wrestling swept Benedictine College in 9 out of 10 matches and went on to win 40-4 in this dual meet. Valley dominated last Friday in their last match before the Heart of America Conference Championships.  

Robert Albert opened up this meet on a high note for the Vikings when he beat his opponent in a 4-3 decision. Number 13 ranked Haden Hernandez followed this up with a second period pin to win his match. Shortly after number 21 ranked Donovan Parn gave the crowd a show when he pinned his opponent in the first period. 

The Vikings kept the momentum throughout the match when Makoa Goeas and Bryson Anderson both won their matches in a major decision. These two wins put the Vikings up 23-0. After another first period pin by Brendan Parks, number 5 Francis Morrissey beat his opponent in a tech fall. 

The Ravens only win came from 184 pounds. The Vikings quickly gained their momentum back in the end of the meet picking up the last two wins of the night. After this meet, Missouri Valley finished their regular season 11-5 in duals. 

 Along with senior night recognitions, both the Men and Women’s Soccer Head Coaches Vladimir Simic and Drew Hawkins were honored for winning the 2024 Heart of America Conference Coach of The Year Award. 

The next meet for Valley’s Men’s Wrestling is The Heart Of America Conference Championship. The team will travel to Oskaloosa, Iowa for the championship set to begin on February 21st.