Bio

The 1997 Missouri Valley College men’s wrestling team was one of most dominate teams in NAIA wrestling history.  This team distinguished itself in Missouri Valley College wrestling history as the first team to receive the #1 National Ranking in pre-season and went on to hold that ranking throughout the year and championships  in route to setting a national team point scoring record and winning back to back NAIA National Championships.  During the season this team also won the first ever NAIA Coaches Association National Dual Meet Championships held in Las Vegas, NV.  

This team produced 8 All-Americans with six reaching the finals and 2 earning individual National titlists and as a result of this championship MVC was again invited to participate the following year in the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s National Dual Championship as the NAIA representative competing against the NCAA Division I, II, III National Champions, and 12 other top NCAA DI teams. 

Of the 12 members of the 1997 team, nine earned All-American honors, seven became national finalist and five earned individual national championships during their careers, and one became a World Military Silver Medalist representing the United Stated Army.