The 2010 NAIA Wrestling National Championships are set to begin today in Oklahoma City. Twelve wrestlers will be representing MBU in a quest to become All-Americans. Action will get under way at 1:00 p.m., with championship round preliminary and first round matches.At 125 pounds, freshman Zach Meury will look to improve upon his 27-win season. Receiving a first round bye, he will face the winner of the match between Paulie Hansen (MVC) and Akmal Adilov (UGF).

Two Spartans will compete at 133 pounds. To start their competition, senior Anton Prater will face Jake McManigal (MCIA), and senior Gary Brooks will take on Chase Dirden (MSUN).  At 141 pounds, sophomore Jacob Thornton will face local rival Kasey Cates of Hannibal-LaGrange College. At 157 pounds, senior Gerald Harris will face Tommie Norton-Hooper (SOU).

At 174 pounds, two Spartans received first round byes. Junior Zach Fears received  will face Austin Vanderford (SOU) in his opening match, and freshman Gavilan Bland will face local rival Jobi Hambrick of Hannibal-LaGrange College. At 184 pounds, senior Jake Oberfoell will face Brett Owen (DSU). Two Spartans will return to national competition at 197 pounds, both receiving first round byes. Ike Okenwa will look to repeat as an All-American. He will first face Nic Leither (NWC). Clayton Olsson, a 2009 NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete, will face the winner of the match between Jake Kallestad (DSU) and Jacob Nowak (BU).

Rounding out the MBU competitors are heavyweights senior Mike Wakim and sophomore Joe Kent. Wakim will first face Brad Hughes (NWC), while Kent will face Corey Johnson (OCU).

All the 2010 NAIA Wrestling National Championship action can be followed at http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/2010Championship.html