
Three among top seven headline MVC Invitational weekend
MARSHALL, MO. – Sophomore 197-pounder Hunter DeJong reached the semifinal round of the championship side of the 2022 Missouri Valley College Invitational Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21 and 22.
MARSHALL, MO. – Sophomore 197-pounder Hunter DeJong reached the semifinal round of the championship side of the 2022 Missouri Valley College Invitational Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21 and 22.
DeJong ranked No. 15 on the latest National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' poll, used three decisions, decided by two-points-or-less, to arrive in the last four. He faced off against Montana State-Northern standout Isaac Bartel for a spot in the finale but was held off 6-0 by the nation's top-ranked wrestler. DeJong wound up fourth in the 31-man bracket.
The lower-weight junior combination of 149-pounder John Diener (Kaukauna, Wis.) and 133-pounder Taylor Vasquez (Fountain, Colo.) also added their names to the top eight registry. Diener got to the championship quarterfinal before being edged 2-1 by Andreus Bond of Southeastern University of Florida. He came back and gathered three wins to make the consolation final, where he was held off in a one-point decision to take fourth. Vasquez battled his way to seventh after reaching the championship quarterfinal. He completed the two-day tourney with a 4-2 record.
Head coach Jake Stevenson's Mustangs return to dual competition Wednesday, Jan. 26. They host Northwestern College in Great Plains Athletic Conference action at 7 p.m. at the fieldhouse of the Hindman-Hobbs Center.