WICHITA, Kan. – (Brackets | Team Scores) The 66^th Annual NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championships were hosted at Hartman Arena on March 4^th, airing live on ESPN3. At the conclusion of the event, Grand View (Iowa) hoisted their 11^th Red Banner in the past 12 seasons.

The Vikings scored 206 points to take home the title, while Life (Ga.) secured second place with 157.5 points. Southeastern (Fla.) claimed third with 90 points with Menlo (Calif.) coming in fourth with 74 points and Indiana Tech with 61.

• The Running Eagles and Grand View both claimed three individual champions followed by two for Menlo and one each from Vanguard (Calif.) and Southeastern.
• This season, all 10 champions were newcomers from 2022.
• The Appalachian led all conferences with four individual champions; the Heart of America and Cascade Conferences each crowed three.

125 – No. 2 Brandon Orum (Life) def. No. 4 Hunter Sparks (Eastern Oregon), DEC 5-4

The opening match of the Championship Session was locked at 2-2 entering the third period before Orum recorded a pair of escapes and held the final tally with riding time. After winning the crown his freshman year and settling for second in 2022, Orum is back on top.

133 – No. 3 Gulomjon Abdullaev (Menlo) def. No. 1 Carson Taylor (Grand View), DEC 7-3

Abdullaev took the first of two individual crowns for the Oaks in the final bouts. His victory, knocking off the top seed, gave Menlo its 11^th title in 14 chances. The freshman added an international flair to the event and defeated the top ranked wrestler.

141 – No. 5 Shea Ruffridge (Grand View) def. No. 2 Julian Hernandez (Life), DEC 8-1

Ruffridge pulled the second straight upset to wrap up his collegiate career on top of the podium. In a few short moments, he took a 1-1 tie into a 7-1 margin with a fall and near fall back to back.

149 – No. 3 Brevin Balmeceda (Life) def. No. 1 Ryan Moore (Thomas More), DEC 2-1

Moore was looking to avenge his runner-up placing a year ago, but Balmeceda had other plans thanks in part to his ability to record riding time. The consensus man to beat in the weight class finishes a second straight year down a step on the podium.

157 – No. 5 Sal Silva (Southeastern) def. No. 2 Israel Casarez (Grand View), SV-1 3-1

The Fire trailed by one point entering final frame and gained a quick escape to tie it.as the match headed to Sudden Victory, it took only 14 seconds for Silva beat the defending NAIA Champion and give Southeastern its fourth individual championship in school history.

165 – No. 6 Rysan Leong (Menlo) def. No. 4 David Rubio (Corban), DEC 4-3

Menlo started off the bout with a takedown and held a 2-1 margin after the first three minutes. The pair was familiar with each other as they recently faced each other in the Cascade conference tournament semifinals, where Rubio won in the final seconds. When Rubio gave free escape to start the third, knowing he needed a takedown, the contest ended in a 3-3 tie with the deciding factor being the 1:29 of riding time for the Oaks.

174 – No. 3 Gerardo Hernandez (Vanguard) def. No. 1 Isaiah Luellen (Grand View), SV-1 3-1

Hernandez is the second Lion in program history to wrestle in championship bout, both in the last three years. Ending the season with only one loss, it took Sudden Victory for Hernandez to be victory, coming from behind after Luellen scored first.

184 – No. 5 Asher Eichert (Life) def. No. 14 Coleman Bryant (Southeastern), DEC 5-2

Eichert was the second-place finisher during the 2021 NAIA Championships and won the third title for the school on the night. Bryant, the lowest seed to make the Championship Round faced against a conference opponent.

197 – No. 3 Owen Braungardt (Grand View) def. No. 1 Zane Lanham (Life), DEC 6-1

Braungardt got a takedown near the end of the second period, giving him a commanding lead. As he cruised to victory over the reigning NAIA champ by recording just under three minutes of riding time.

285 – No. 1 Greg Hagan (Grand View) def. No. 3 Austin Harris (Life), FALL 1:43

During the last bout of the evening, the highest seed in the bracket - Hagan - saved his best for last. After twice losing in the finals, Hagan puts a bow on his Viking career with a stunning pin over Harris.

Awards:

Nick Mitchell of Grand View (Iowa) wins Coach of the Year.

Gulomjon Abdullaev of Menlo (Calif.) named NAIA Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Year.

Shea Ruffridge of Grand View (Iowa) selected as the NWCA-NAIA Outstanding Wrestler of the Championships.  

Daulton Mayer of Thomas More (Ky.) was selected as the Manuel Gorriaran Memorial Award Winner. (4 Pins in 5:10)

Click here for the full list of 2023 NAIA Men's Wrestling All-Americans