Wrestlers gain national recognition
Program in its second year already has top-notch wrestlers
Keely Shannon
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: News
Two Grand View wrestlers were recognized in the October issue of the U.S.A Wrestling Magazine as two of the top wrestlers in the country.
Matt Burns, criminal justice senior, was listed 19th in the nation at 149 lbs, ranking up against 16 NCAA Division I wrestlers in the top 20 picks. Brad Lower, pre-physical education K-12 junior, was a special mention at 165 lbs.
Burns, 2009 NAIA National Champion, was less than satisfied with his rank in the magazine.
"It's good, but I don't take a lot of pride in it," Burns said, "It means there are 18 wrestlers better than me."
Burns will head to Grand Prairie, Texas, January 16 for the Lone Star Duels, which will feature the best wrestlers from NAIA battling the best wrestlers from NCWA.
Nick Mitchell, head coach, said, "It's always an honor to be chosen for an event like the all-star duals."
Lower, 2009 Junior College National Champion, said he is proud he received the honorable mention but things may have been better.
"I came from a junior college, but I probably could have beat a couple of those kids to get ranked," Lower said.
Both Lower and Burns transferred from Iowa Central Community College; Lower this year and Burns last year.
"I transferred because I like Coach Mitchell a lot and a couple of other teammates also from ICCC," Lower said, "It's a pretty good team."
The Viking wrestlers kick off their season November 14 at the Harold Nichols Cyclone Open in Ames. According to Burns, the future looks bright.
"We have a strong team if everyone stays on track, stays healthy, and gets good grades," Burns said, "We have a good shot at a national title as a team."
This is only the second year for Grand View wrestling, but according to Mitchell, it's already off to a good start.
"GV wrestling is starting to make a name for itself now. Being a second year team, I think that's important," Mitchell said.
Mitchell said it is hard to tell how the year will play out, but that "our guys have been beating up on each other and they're looking forward to seeing some other competition."
Matt Burns, criminal justice senior, was listed 19th in the nation at 149 lbs, ranking up against 16 NCAA Division I wrestlers in the top 20 picks. Brad Lower, pre-physical education K-12 junior, was a special mention at 165 lbs.
Burns, 2009 NAIA National Champion, was less than satisfied with his rank in the magazine.
"It's good, but I don't take a lot of pride in it," Burns said, "It means there are 18 wrestlers better than me."
Burns will head to Grand Prairie, Texas, January 16 for the Lone Star Duels, which will feature the best wrestlers from NAIA battling the best wrestlers from NCWA.
Nick Mitchell, head coach, said, "It's always an honor to be chosen for an event like the all-star duals."
Lower, 2009 Junior College National Champion, said he is proud he received the honorable mention but things may have been better.
"I came from a junior college, but I probably could have beat a couple of those kids to get ranked," Lower said.
Both Lower and Burns transferred from Iowa Central Community College; Lower this year and Burns last year.
"I transferred because I like Coach Mitchell a lot and a couple of other teammates also from ICCC," Lower said, "It's a pretty good team."
The Viking wrestlers kick off their season November 14 at the Harold Nichols Cyclone Open in Ames. According to Burns, the future looks bright.
"We have a strong team if everyone stays on track, stays healthy, and gets good grades," Burns said, "We have a good shot at a national title as a team."
This is only the second year for Grand View wrestling, but according to Mitchell, it's already off to a good start.
"GV wrestling is starting to make a name for itself now. Being a second year team, I think that's important," Mitchell said.
Mitchell said it is hard to tell how the year will play out, but that "our guys have been beating up on each other and they're looking forward to seeing some other competition."
Be the first to comment on this story