Oskaloosa, Iowa - The Central Methodist men's wrestling program turned in a historic performance Saturday at the Heart of America Conference Championships in Oskaloosa, finishing third overall with 150.5 team points — the highest conference finish in program history.

The Eagles were powered by a dominant showing from junior Roman Garcia at 174 pounds. Garcia captured the conference title and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler after an impressive run through the bracket. He opened with a fall over St. Ambrose's Broderick Schmidt, followed with a 17-5 major decision against Missouri Baptist's Hunter Song, and pinned Dickinson State's Bradlee Shaw in the semifinals. In the championship bout, Garcia secured a 3-1 decision over Grand View's Kristopher Ketchum to claim the title and 24 team points.

Central Methodist crowned one individual champion and saw five wrestlers finish in the top three of their respective weight classes.

At 285 pounds, Garine Gibson advanced to the heavyweight championship match with wins over Isaiah Horan (Bismarck State), Amad Soufi (Missouri Baptist), and teammate Austin Foye in a sudden victory semifinal. Gibson placed second after a hard-fought sudden victory loss to Grand View's Shane Cook, contributing 17 team points.

Drake Jenkins (157) and Arojae Hart (141) each battled back through the consolation brackets to earn third-place finishes. Jenkins responded to a quarterfinal setback with four straight victories, including a fall in the consolation semifinals, before defeating Willard Sprenger (Bismarck State) 5-3 in the third-place match. Hart rebounded from a semifinal loss to win his final two matches, including an 8-1 decision over Missouri Baptist's Daryl Mills to secure third.

Griffin Ray (184) also claimed a third-place finish, posting a pair of major decisions and a fall on his way to 16.5 team points. Ray closed his tournament with a 10-1 major decision over Missouri Valley's Luke Sarich in the consolation finals.

At 165 pounds, Kevin Olavarria advanced to the semifinals with a fall and a major decision before finishing fourth overall, highlighted by a technical fall in the consolation semifinals. Teammate Eric Hodge added a seventh-place finish at 165, while also earning bonus points in extra matches.

Cameron Cornman (197) placed fifth with two falls and a technical fall in the consolation bracket, while Alex Walker (149) and Peyton Asbury (157) each placed eighth and added valuable team points.

Austin Foye (285) contributed a sixth-place finish, and Gavin Alexander (133) competed hard in a challenging bracket.

Central Methodist also picked up bonus points in additional matches at 165 and 184, with Hodge and Ray each earning extra victories.

Hart (141), Jenkins (157), Olavarria (165), Hodge (165), Garcia (174), Ray (184), Cornman (197), and Gibson (285) are all automatic qualifiers to this year's NAIA National Championships in Park City, Kansas. Both Foye (285) and Walker (149) are both in consideration for wildcard spots, which will be announced Tuesday evening. 

To view the full results for CMU at the Heart of America Conference Championships, please see below.

133

Gavin Alexander (9-11) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Davion Wilson (Graceland University) 23-15 won by major decision over Gavin Alexander (Central Methodist) 9-11 (MD 17-5)
• Cons. Round 1 - Charlie Irwin (Dickinson State (n.d.)) 1-2 won by decision over Gavin Alexander (Central Methodist) 9-11 (Dec 3-2)

141

Arojae Hart (17-9) placed 3rd and scored 12.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 17-9 received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal - Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 17-9 won by decision over Daryl Mills (Missouri Baptist University) 26-8 (Dec 2-0)
• Semifinal - Marckis Branford (Grand View (Iowa)) 23-4 won by fall over Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 17-9 (Fall 4:29)
• Cons. Semi - Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 17-9 won by decision over Caden Lopez (Graceland University) 9-9 (Dec 10-5)
• 3rd Place Match - Arojae Hart (Central Methodist) 17-9 won by decision over Daryl Mills (Missouri Baptist University) 26-8 (Dec 8-1)

149

Alex Walker (13-14) placed 8th and scored 7.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 13-14 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Georgino Moraga (St. Ambrose University) 25-23 won by decision over Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 13-14 (Dec 3-1)
• Cons. Round 2 - Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 13-14 received a bye () (Bye)
• Cons. Round 3 - Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 13-14 won by fall over Hayden Biggs (Benedictine College) 8-9 (Fall 1:58)
• Cons. Round 4 - Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 13-14 won by major decision over Nakkos Benton (Baker (Kan.)) 20-15 (MD 18-7)
• Cons. Round 5 - Georgino Moraga (St. Ambrose University) 25-23 won by major decision over Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 13-14 (MD 10-2)
• 7th Place Match - Joshua Zeman (St. Ambrose University) 15-16 won by decision over Alex Walker (Central Methodist) 13-14 (Dec 10-4)

157

Peyton Asbury (14-11) placed 8th and scored 4.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 14-11 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Easton Larson (Grand View (Iowa)) 23-4 won by major decision over Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 14-11 (MD 11-0)
• Cons. Round 2 - Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 14-11 received a bye () (Bye)
• Cons. Round 3 - Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 14-11 won by decision over Joshua Broyles (Baker (Kan.)) 6-12 (Dec 7-0)
• Cons. Round 4 - Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 14-11 won by decision over Khalil Hampton (Graceland University) 9-13 (Dec 9-4)
• Cons. Round 5 - Noah Richardson (Missouri Baptist University) 18-13 won by decision over Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 14-11 (Dec 6-5)
• 7th Place Match - Invi Bella (Graceland University) 20-10 won by decision over Peyton Asbury (Central Methodist) 14-11 (Dec 5-4)

Drake Jenkins (14-8) placed 3rd and scored 18.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Drake Jenkins (Central Methodist) 14-8 received a bye () (Bye)
• Champ. Round 2 - Drake Jenkins (Central Methodist) 14-8 won by fall over Kayden Marolf (St. Ambrose University) 11-12 (Fall 3:00)
• Quarterfinal - Willard Sprenger (Bismarck State College) 8-6 won by decision over Drake Jenkins (Central Methodist) 14-8 (Dec 6-2)
• Cons. Round 4 - Drake Jenkins (Central Methodist) 14-8 won by major decision over Whit Nichols (William Woods University) 13-13 (MD 11-1)
• Cons. Round 5 - Drake Jenkins (Central Methodist) 14-8 won by decision over Invi Bella (Graceland University) 20-10 (Dec 10-3)
• Cons. Semi - Drake Jenkins (Central Methodist) 14-8 won by fall over Francis Morrissey (Missouri Valley) 2-2 (Fall 3:36)
• 3rd Place Match - Drake Jenkins (Central Methodist) 14-8 won by decision over Willard Sprenger (Bismarck State College) 8-6 (Dec 5-3)

165

Kevin Olavarria (15-7) placed 4th and scored 16.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 15-7 won by fall over Travis Coleman (William Penn (Iowa)) 5-15 (Fall 1:05)
• Quarterfinal - Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 15-7 won by major decision over Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 22-11 (MD 8-0)
• Semifinal - Dylan Whitt (Grand View (Iowa)) 20-6 won by fall over Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 15-7 (Fall 3:48)
• Cons. Semi - Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 15-7 won by tech fall over Noah Sample (Baker (Kan.)) 21-17 (TF-1.5 1:43 (15-0))
• 3rd Place Match - Brayden Shelton (Missouri Valley) 3-1 won by injury default over Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 15-7 (Inj. 4:20)

Eric Hodge (22-11) placed 7th and scored 6.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 22-11 won by decision over Christopher Bauer (Missouri Baptist University) 21-19 (Dec 10-4)
• Quarterfinal - Kevin Olavarria (Central Methodist) 15-7 won by major decision over Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 22-11 (MD 8-0)
• Cons. Round 2 - Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 22-11 won by decision over Joel Campbell (Missouri Baptist University) 14-7 (Dec 6-3)
• Cons. Round 3 - Dayton Hill (Missouri Valley) 4-1 won by fall over Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 22-11 (Fall 2:03)
• 7th Place Match - Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 22-11 won by major decision over Christopher Bauer (Missouri Baptist University) 21-19 (MD 13-3)

174

Roman Garcia (13-6) placed 1st and scored 24.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Roman Garcia (Central Methodist) 13-6 won by fall over Broderick Schmidt (St. Ambrose University) 19-18 (Fall 2:27)
• Quarterfinal - Roman Garcia (Central Methodist) 13-6 won by major decision over Hunter Song (Missouri Baptist University) 13-17 (MD 17-5)
• Semifinal - Roman Garcia (Central Methodist) 13-6 won by fall over Bradlee Shaw (Dickinson State (n.d.)) 2-3 (Fall 1:23)
• 1st Place Match - Roman Garcia (Central Methodist) 13-6 won by decision over Kristopher Ketchum (Grand View (Iowa)) 22-3 (Dec 3-1)

184

Griffin Ray (12-9) placed 3rd and scored 16.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 12-9 won by major decision over Eli Messik (Baker (Kan.)) 21-17 (MD 11-0)
• Quarterfinal - Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 12-9 won by decision over Luke Sarich (Missouri Valley) 4-2 (Dec 3-0)
• Semifinal - Austen Wetzel (William Woods University) 28-2 won by tech fall over Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 12-9 (TF-1.5 4:52 (21-5))
• Cons. Semi - Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 12-9 won by fall over Eli Messik (Baker (Kan.)) 21-17 (Fall 2:13)
• 3rd Place Match - Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 12-9 won by major decision over Luke Sarich (Missouri Valley) 4-2 (MD 10-1)

197

Cameron Cornman (15-8) placed 5th and scored 12.5 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 15-8 received a bye () (Bye)
• Quarterfinal - Donivan Giangregorio (Dickinson State (n.d.)) 3-2 won by fall over Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 15-8 (Fall 6:49)
• Cons. Round 2 - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 15-8 won by tech fall over Jeremiah Morris (St. Ambrose University) 7-22 (TF-1.5 4:17 (17-0))
• Cons. Round 3 - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 15-8 won by fall over Kevin Lund (Baker (Kan.)) 20-9 (Fall 2:11)
• Cons. Semi - KJ Fry (Graceland University) 12-4 won by decision over Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 15-8 (Dec 12-9)
• 5th Place Match - Cameron Cornman (Central Methodist) 15-8 won by major decision over Hunter Hall (Baker (Kan.)) 4-4 (MD 11-2)

285

Garine Gibson (19-11) placed 2nd and scored 17.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 19-11 won by decision over Isaiah Horan (Bismarck State College) 11-14 (Dec 7-0)
• Quarterfinal - Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 19-11 won by fall over Amad Soufi (Missouri Baptist University) 17-13 (Fall 6:31)
• Semifinal - Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 19-11 won in sudden victory - 1 over Austin Foye (Central Methodist) 13-5 (SV-1 4-1)
• 1st Place Match - Shane Cook (Grand View (Iowa)) 24-6 won in sudden victory - 1 over Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 19-11 (SV-1 8-5)

Austin Foye (13-5) placed 6th and scored 10.0 team points.

• Champ. Round 1 - Austin Foye (Central Methodist) 13-5 won by decision over Jefferson Otter (Benedictine College) 5-6 (Dec 7-2)
• Quarterfinal - Austin Foye (Central Methodist) 13-5 won by fall over Kazz Hyson (Graceland University) 16-9 (Fall 1:46)
• Semifinal - Garine Gibson (Central Methodist) 19-11 won in sudden victory - 1 over Austin Foye (Central Methodist) 13-5 (SV-1 4-1)
• Cons. Semi - Seth Suvak (Dickinson State (n.d.)) 5-1 won by medical forfeit over Austin Foye (Central Methodist) 13-5 (MFFL)
• 5th Place Match - Kazz Hyson (Graceland University) 16-9 won by medical forfeit over Austin Foye (Central Methodist) 13-5 (M. For.)

165-6th

Eric Hodge (1-0) placed 1st and scored 3.0 team points.

• 1st Place Match - Eric Hodge (Central Methodist) 1-0 won by major decision over Noah Sample (Baker (Kan.)) 0-1 (MD 10-0)

184-2nd

Griffin Ray (1-0) placed 1st and scored 3.0 team points.

• 1st Place Match - Griffin Ray (Central Methodist) 1-0 won by major decision over Chris Wohrley (Graceland University) 0-1 (MD 17-9)

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