Marshall, Mo. -  The No. 14 Central Methodist men's wrestling team turned in a gritty performance at the MVC Invitational, highlighted by three top-four individual finishes and several strong runs through the consolation brackets over the weekend. 

As a team, the Eagles finished in eighth place after the two-day tournament, which featured nearly 50 NAIA programs and 450 individual wrestlers. Central produced two fourth-place finishes and a runner-up finish to help tally 101.5 team points. 

The eighth place finish is the best finish for the program in school history. 

Arojae Hart led the way for the Eagles with a runner-up finish, placing second in the 141 pound weight class. Hart opened the tournament with a major decision and followed with a series of close, disciplined wins, including victories in the quarterfinals and semifinals. He advanced to the championship bout before falling by a narrow decision, earning 18 team points and one of the top finishes of the event for CMU.

At 197 pounds, Cameron Cornman delivered one of the most impressive performances of the tournament, finishing fourth while scoring a team-high 23.5 points. Cornman stormed through the consolation bracket after an early setback, recording multiple falls, major decisions, and forfeits. 

Heavyweight Garine Gibson also secured a fourth-place finish and 17.5 team points. Gibson won four matches on the championship side, including two falls and a quarterfinal pin, before battling his way through the placement rounds. His run was highlighted by a semifinal appearance.

Several Eagles made notable runs by piling up wins across the tournament. Eric Hodge (165) rattled off four consecutive consolation victories, including two major decisions, to put together a strong recovery after an opening-round loss. Drew Cooper (141) posted three straight wins in the consolation bracket, recording two falls and a tech fall to contribute seven team points.

Other solid efforts came from Luis Acevedo (125), who earned multiple falls on his way to 6.5 team points, and Kevin Olavarria (165), who opened the tournament with three dominant bonus-point victories, including two tech falls and a pin. Alex Walker (149) and Peyton Asbury (157) each picked up three wins apiece, while Griffin Ray (184) added a fall and a tech fall during his run.

Central returns to dual action against fellow Heart member Baker University Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Collins Center in Baldwin City, Kansas. 

To view the full results for CMU at the MVC Invite, please see below. 

125

Luis Acevedo (6-3) place is unknown and scored 6.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Luis Acevedo (Central Methodist) 6-3 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Luis Acevedo (Central Methodist) 6-3 won by fall over Timothy Mclean (Brewton-Parker (GA)) 0-2 (Fall 0:30)
• Champ. Round 3 - Kobi Johnson (Providence (Mont.)) 13-5 won by fall over Luis Acevedo (Central Methodist) 6-3 (Fall 4:54)
• Cons. Round 4 - Luis Acevedo (Central Methodist) 6-3 won by fall over Wyatt Engwicht (Dickinson State (N.D.)) 2-2 (Fall 1:08)
• Cons. Round 5 - Saoul Prado (Baker (Kan.)) 19-4 won by decision over Luis Acevedo (Central Methodist) 6-3 (Dec 7-3)

133

Gavin Alexander (8-8) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Gavin Alexander (Central Methodist) 8-8 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Gavin Alexander (Central Methodist) 8-8 won by fall over Geno Cardenas (Missouri Baptist University) 14-5 (Fall 6:32)
• Champ. Round 3 - Dante Rigal (Briar Cliff (Iowa)) 16-7 won by major decision over Gavin Alexander (Central Methodist) 8-8 (MD 14-6)
• Cons. Round 4 - Blake Woolsey (Providence (Mont.)) 9-6 won by fall over Gavin Alexander (Central Methodist) 8-8 (Fall 4:09)

141

Drew Cooper (6-8) place is unknown and scored 7.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Kameron Stiffler (Bismarck State College) 12-10 won by tech fall over Drew Cooper (Central Methodist) 6-8 (TF-1.5 5:32 (22-5))
• Cons. Round 1 - Drew Cooper (Central Methodist) 6-8 won by fall over Jerry Molina (St. Thomas University) 0-2 (Fall 1:40)
• Cons. Round 2 - Drew Cooper (Central Methodist) 6-8 won by tech fall over Isaac Lomas (Morningside (Iowa)) 5-7 (TF-1.5 3:19 (20-4))
• Cons. Round 3 - Drew Cooper (Central Methodist) 6-8 won by fall over Louis Mehaffey (Montreat College) 1-2 (Fall 4:26)
• Cons. Round 4 - Stevie Barnes (Concordia (Neb.)) 11-5 won by fall over Drew Cooper (Central Methodist) 6-8 (Fall 1:05)

Arojae Hart (13-8) placed 2nd and scored 18.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 13-8 won by major decision over Jayden Nowell (Ottawa University) 7-8 (MD 16-2)
• Champ. Round 2 - Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 13-8 won by decision over Louis Mehaffey (Montreat College) 1-2 (Dec 4-0)
• Champ. Round 3 - Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 13-8 won by decision over Luke Fogleman (Grand View (Iowa)) 26-12 (Dec 2-1)
• Quarterfinal - Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 13-8 won by decision over Wyatt Hinton (Campbellsville (Ky.)) 9-4 (Dec 2-0)
• Semifinal - Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 13-8 won by decision over Jazen Brown (Baker (Kan.)) 16-8 (Dec 11-9)
• 1st Place Match - Reese Courtney (Grand View (Iowa)) 21-9 won by decision over Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 13-8 (Dec 2-1)

149

Alex Walker (11-9) place is unknown and scored 2.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 11-9 won by decision over Gavin Pope (Reinhardt University (GA)) 0-1 (Dec 10-3)
• Champ. Round 2 - Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 11-9 won by decision over Tiernan Boots (Marian University (IN)) 3-4 (Dec 9-3)
• Champ. Round 3 - Ben Smith (University of Saint Mary (KS)) 15-9 won by major decision over Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 11-9 (MD 14-2)
• Cons. Round 4 - Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 11-9 won by decision over Arthur Reed (Brewton-Parker (GA)) 2-2 (Dec 5-3)
• Cons. Round 5 - Nakkos Benton (Baker (Kan.)) 19-13 won by decision over Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 11-9 (Dec 16-13)

157

Peyton Asbury (9-6) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 9-6 won by decision over Chris Scott (Indiana Tech) 2-10 (Dec 5-1)
• Champ. Round 2 - Anthony Joseph (Campbellsville (Ky.)) 15-8 won by fall over Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 9-6 (Fall 2:18)
• Cons. Round 2 - Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 9-6 won by fall over Mason Moore (Friends University) 0-2 (Fall 2:02)
• Cons. Round 3 - Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 9-6 won by decision over Joshua Broyles (Baker (Kan.)) 6-8 (Dec 6-0)
• Cons. Round 4 - Noah Richardson (Missouri Baptist University) 13-9 won by decision over Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 9-6 (Dec 4-1)

165

Kevin Olavarria (11-5) place is unknown and scored 8.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 11-5 won by tech fall over Gabriel Hightower (Brewton-Parker (GA)) 0-2 (TF-1.5 2:14 (15-0))
• Champ. Round 2 - Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 11-5 won by fall over David Dell (Oklahoma Wesleyan ) 0-2 (Fall 2:04)
• Champ. Round 3 - Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 11-5 won by tech fall over Cannon Carey (Concordia (Neb.)) 9-6 (TF-1.5 1:16 (15-0))
• Quarterfinal - Dayton Hill (Missouri Valley) 4-1 won by decision over Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 11-5 (Dec 13-8)
• Cons. Round 6 - Benjamen Mitchell (Simpson (Calif.)) 20-3 won by forfeit over Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 11-5 (For.)

Eric Hodge (18-9) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Nicholas Piña (Arizona Christian University) 16-12 won by decision over Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 18-9 (Dec 7-2)
• Cons. Round 1 - Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 18-9 won by major decision over Israel Manriquez (Hastings (Neb.)) 0-2 (MD 13-3)
• Cons. Round 2 - Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 18-9 won by decision over Lleyton Hoover (University of Saint Mary (KS)) 4-7 (Dec 5-2)
• Cons. Round 3 - Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 18-9 won in tie breaker - 1 over Carson Turnis (Morningside (Iowa)) 4-3 (TB-1 2-1)
• Cons. Round 4 - Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 18-9 won by major decision over Hunter Song (Missouri Baptist University) 10-11 (MD 17-4)
• Cons. Round 5 - Hayden Santora (Reinhardt University (GA)) 10-7 won by decision over Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 18-9 (Dec 2-1)

174

Brayden Forman (7-9) place is unknown and scored 2.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Brayden Forman (Central Methodist) 7-9 won by decision over Braxton Bacon (Oklahoma Wesleyan ) 0-2 (Dec 11-5)
• Champ. Round 2 - Brayden Forman (Central Methodist) 7-9 won in sudden victory - 1 over Jase Motlagh (Avila) 11-13 (SV-1 18-15)
• Champ. Round 3 - Ty Rodriguez (Southeastern) 18-6 won in sudden victory - 1 over Brayden Forman (Central Methodist) 7-9 (SV-1 8-1)
• Cons. Round 4 - Broderick Schmidt (St. Ambrose University) 18-15 won by decision over Brayden Forman (Central Methodist) 7-9 (Dec 5-2)

184

Griffin Ray (7-7) place is unknown and scored 4.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 7-7 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Noah Hollendonner (Marian University (IN)) 19-12 won by decision over Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 7-7 (Dec 6-4)
• Cons. Round 2 - Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 7-7 won by fall over Peyton Callis (Oklahoma Wesleyan ) 0-2 (Fall 1:05)
• Cons. Round 3 - Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 7-7 won by tech fall over Carter Peterson (Northwestern (Iowa)) 6-12 (TF-1.5 2:05 (15-0))
• Cons. Round 4 - Doug Dittmer (Georgetown (KY)) 5-2 won by decision over Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 7-7 (Dec 11-7)

197

Cameron Cornman (11-6) placed 4th and scored 23.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 11-6 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 11-6 won by major decision over Collin Stone (Midland (Neb.)) 5-14 (MD 13-0)
• Champ. Round 3 - David Rapp (Simpson (Calif.)) 14-7 won by fall over Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 11-6 (Fall 4:53)
• Cons. Round 4 - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 11-6 won by fall over Reid Hulshof (Northwestern (Iowa)) 3-4 (Fall 6:13)
• Cons. Round 5 - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 11-6 won by fall over Stone Robledo (Eastern Oregon University (OR)) 2-2 (Fall 2:47)
• Cons. Round 6 - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 11-6 won by forfeit over Elijah Hynes (Missouri Valley) 2-1 (For.)
• Cons. Round 7 - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 11-6 won by major decision over Torrance Keehn (Concordia (Neb.)) 11-4 (MD 9-1)
• Cons. Semi - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 11-6 won by medical forfeit over Donivan Giangregorio (Dickinson State (N.D.)) 3-1 (M. For.)
• 3rd Place Match - Logan Davidson (Friends University) 6-1 won by medical forfeit over Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 11-6 (M. For.)

285

Garine Gibson (15-10) placed 4th and scored 17.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 15-10 won by decision over Cooper Webb (Ottawa University) 2-2 (Dec 9-8)
• Champ. Round 2 - Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 15-10 won by fall over Elijah Eslinger (Baker (Kan.)) 8-16 (Fall 1:28)
• Champ. Round 3 - Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 15-10 won by decision over Luke Cox (Georgetown (KY)) 5-2 (Dec 8-6)
• Quarterfinal - Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 15-10 won by fall over Jeremiah Vasquez (Concordia (Neb.)) 5-4 (Fall 6:03)
• Semifinal - Ian Clifford (Indiana Tech) 15-6 won in double overtime over Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 15-10 (2-OT 2-2)
• Cons. Semi - Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 15-10 won by decision over Shane Mattson (Montana State-Northern) 23-11 (Dec 9-4)
• 3rd Place Match - Dmarian Lopez (Grand View (Iowa)) 6-2 won by major decision over Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 15-10 (MD 11-3)

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