Grand View junior Glenn Rhees (Atascadero, Calif./North Iowa Area CC) used a single-leg takedown on the edge of the mat to take a 3-1 decision in sudden victory over California Baptist's Enock Francois for the national championship at 174 pounds. Neither wrestler was able to generate any offensive scoring during regulation, but each tallied an escape at the beginning of the second and third periods, respectively, to deadlock the match at 1-1 and force an additional 60 seconds of action.

Rhees becomes Grand View's second national wrestling champion in the Vikings' two-year program history.

Nine Viking wrestlers competed for Grand View on day two of the NAIA Championships today in Oklahoma City. Junior Glenn Rhees is the only Viking wrestler that remains in the championship bracket and will compete for a national title at 174 lbs. on Saturday night. Rhees had a fall over Shane Bennett of Dakota State and a 3-1 decision over Notre Dame's Cody Butz.

Brad Lower (165) was defeated by defending national champion Aaron Winning of McKendree just one match away from the title bout. Lower will wrestle Saturday for a chance to place in the top five. Jordaryl Logan will wrestle for seventh place against Evan Hinebauch of MSU-Northern. Saturday's session of medal-round matches gets underway at 10 a.m. with third, fifth and seventh-place matches taking to the mat.

Grand View is currently 10th in the team standings with 56.5 points.

The Vikings are seventh in the team standings with 24.5 points after the first day of the NAIA Wrestling Championships in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Notre Dame leads with 44 points followed by Southern Oregon (38), Missouri Valley (32), McKendree (31), Great Falls (28), and Lindenwood (25.5).

Michael Schultz won his first two matches with decisions over Chad Allen of Calumet College of St. Joseph (5-2) and Michel Joseph of Jamestown (9-6) at 133 lbs.

Travis Evans advanced at 133 lbs. after a 16-4 decision over Josh Rogers of Briar Cliff. Nick Coffman moves to the consolation bracket at 141 lbs. after an 8-4 loss to Kyle Wirkuty of Southern Oregon.

Follow Grand View's twelve wrestlers that are competing at the NAIA Wrestling Championships March 4-6 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Competing for Grand View is: Travis Evans (133), Michael Schultz (133), Nick Coffman (141), Adam Kurimski (157), Trae Reed (157), Issiah Sullivan (157), Ty Knowler (165), Brad Lower (165), Glenn Rhees (174), Jordaryl Logan (184), Justin Rau (197),a nd Derek Nightser (285).

Click here for national championship info and results.

The Viking wrestling team finished second in the team standings, had two individual champions, and nine placed in the top four of their weight classes at the Central National Qualifier held today in Oskaloosa. The top four in each weight class automatically qualify for the NAIA Championships March 4-6 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

No. 9 Grand View outscored several nationally ranked programs - No. 13 Oklahoma City, Bacone (RV), Waldorf (RV) and William Penn (RV), and finished with a team score of 156.5 points, finishing behind No. 3 Missouri Valley's 169 points .

Junior Glenn Rhees (Atascadero, Calif.) won the 174 lb. weight class and was voted as the Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet. Viking Head Coach Nick Mitchell was chosen as the Coach of the Year.