OSKALOOSA, IOWA – NO. 1 Grand View University Vikings stormed Oskaloosa to claim the 2024 Heart of America Conference Championship, winning the school's ninth straight conference title. 10 Grand View wrestlers earned individual titles as well, four of which are co-champions at 133 and 174. The Vikings won the team race with 212 points, ahead of second-place Graceland University with 148.5 points. Grand View also auto-qualified eleven individuals for the 2024 NAIA Championships in two weeks.
This is Grand View's 9
th consecutive conference title, having also won in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016* (*Dual Tournament). In the last six years, the Vikings have earned 49 total Heart individual champions. The Vikings tied their own record by sending 12 to the semifinals and 10 to the finals. 10 wrestlers emerged victorious, with four being considered co-champions (
Carson Taylor (133),
Jackson Cockrell (133),
Isaiah Luellen (184), and
Jameel Coles (184).
Aden Reeves earned an individual title for the Vikings by picking up a 20-6 major decision over Jose Gonzalez from Dickinson State at 125lbs. The team had two Co-Champions -
Carson Taylor and
Jackson Cockrell, who solidified their position following a forfeit. Similarly,
Isaiah Luellen and
Jameel Coles also became Co-Champions due to a forfeit. No. 1
Blake Gonzalez had his toughest match of the weekend in the finals, but he earned his title by a 6-2 decision over 3rd-ranked MoVal wrestler Zollman. True freshman
Dylan Whitt won his first title by winning a 3-0 decision over a CMU Eagle.
Alex Reynolds earned his second title in his career by pinning his opponent in the final match. Braungardt won his back-to-back title by a 7-3 decision after a late takedown against Karibo.
Greg Hagan was unstoppable over the weekend, recording four straight pins at heavyweight to win another title.
Grand View has eleven automatic qualifiers for the NAIA Championships:
Aden Reeves (125),
Carson Taylor and
Jackson Cockrell (133),
Blake Gonzalez (149),
Dylan Whitt (157),
Alex Reynolds (174),
Isaiah Luellen and
Jameel Coles (184),
Owen Braungardt and
Garavous Kouekabakilaho (197), and
Greg Hagan (285).
MAJOR AWARDS:
The 2024 Assistant Coach of the Year - Paul Reedy
2024 Heart Conference Co-Tournament Oustanding Wrestler - Greg Hagan and Owen Braungardt
2024 Heart Conference Wrestler of the Year - Greg Hagan
2024 Heart Freshman of the Year - Dylan Whitt
FROM THE TEAM:
FROM COACH MITCHELL:
THE NINTH HEART OF AMERICA TITLE
FULL RESULTS:
125
Aden Reeves – CONFERENCE CHAMPION
- Champ. Round 1 - Aden Reeves received a bye
- Quarterfinal - Aden Reeves won by fall over Malachi Wallway (Waldorf ) (Fall 2:38)
- Semifinal - Aden Reeves won by fall over Clemente Delgado (Graceland University) Fall 0:20)
- 1st Place Match - Aden Reeves by major decision over Jose Gonzalez (Dickinson State) (MD 20-6)
133
Jackson Cockrell – CO-CHAMPION
133
Carson Taylor – CO-CHAMPION
149
Blake Gonzalez – CONFERENCE CHAMPION
- Champ. Round 1 - Blake Gonzalez received a bye
- Quarterfinal - Blake Gonzalez won by tech fall over Riley Woods (St. Ambrose University) (TF- 5:52 (19-3)
- Semifinal – Blake Gonzalez won by fall over Tyler Okada (Waldorf) (Fall 3:44)
- 1st Place Match - Blake Gonzalez won by decision over Chase Zollmann (Missouri Valley) (Dec 6-2)
149
Blake Haney – FIFTH PLACE
- Champ. Round 1 - Blake Haney won by fall over Konnor Wright (Central Methodist) (Fall 1:55)
- Quarterfinal - Blake Haney won by major decision over Nikolas Slatoff (Baker) (MD 13-3)
- Semifinal - Chase Zollmann (Missouri Valley) won by major decision over Blake Haney (MD 8-0)
- Cons. Semi - Dallas Koelzer (Baker) won by decision over Blake Haney (Dec 6-3)
- 5th Place Match - Blake Haney won by fall over Nikolas Slatoff (Baker) (Fall 3:25)
- 4th Place Match - Dallas Koelzer (Baker) won by no contest over Blake Haney (NC)
157
Dylan Whitt – CONFERENCE CHAMPION
- Champ. Round 1 - Dylan Whitt received a bye
- Quarterfinal - Dylan Whitt won by fall over Cole Patten (Missouri Valley) (Fall 3:45)
- Semifinal – Dylan Whitt won by decision over Juan Lopez (Graceland) (Dec 12-8)
- 1st Place Match - Dylan Whitt 21-11 won by decision over Donald Griffin (Central Methodist) (Dec 3-0)
174
Alex Reynolds – CONFERENCE CHAMPION
- Champ. Round 1 - Alex Reynolds received a bye
- Quarterfinal - Alex Reynolds won by tech fall over Isaac Andersen (TF- 1:39 (18-1)
- Semifinal – Alex Reynolds won by tech fall over Joseph Teguia (Graceland University) (TF 6:46 16-0)
- 1st Place Match - Alex Reynolds by fall over Tate Nordby (Dickinson State) (Fall 2:53)
184
Isaiah Luellen – CO-CHAMPION
184
Jameel Coles – CO-CHAMPION
197
Owen Braungardt – CONFERENCE CHAMPION
- Champ. Round 1 - Owen Braungardt received a bye
- Quarterfinal - Owen Braungardt won by fall over Kevin Lund (Baker) (Fall 0:56)
- Semifinal – Owen Braungardt won by decision over Elijah Hynes (Missouri Valley) (Dec 10-3)
- 1st Place Match - Owen Braungardt won by decision over Malachi Karibo (Baker) (Dec 7-3)
197
Garavous Kouekabakilaho – 3RD PLACE
285
Greg Hagan – CONFERENCE CHAMPION
- Champ. Round 1 - Greg Hagan won by fall over Christian Macier (Waldorf ) (Fall 0:20)
- Quarterfinal - Greg Hagan won by fall over Jefferson Otter (Benedictine) (Fall 1:33)
- Semifinal – Greg Hagan won by fall over Austin Foye (Central Methodist) (Fall 0:36)
- 1st Place Match - Greg Hagan won by fall over Joshua Isaac (Missouri Valley) (Fall 2:21)
