MARSHALL, Mo. — The No. 14 Central Missouri wrestling team sent 11 competitors to the Missouri Valley Open, competing across six weight classes in a deep, multi-team field. The Mules were highlighted by two podium finishes and several bonus-point victories throughout the tournament.

133 Pounds
Peyton Shepard turned in one of the top performances of the day for Central Missouri, finishing second overall at 133 pounds. Shepard opened the tournament with a decision win over Boogie Harris (Missouri) before adding a major decision victory later in the bracket. He advanced to the championship bout before falling to Davion Wilson (Graceland) to secure the runner-up finish. Kaiden Powell also competed at 133 and picked up three victories on the day. Powell earned a first-period fall (1:19) over Justin Soria (Indian Hills CC) and later won by medical forfeit in the consolation bracket.  

157 Pounds
Central Missouri had three wrestlers in action at 157 pounds.

Jack Ferguson placed fourth overall after a strong run through the bracket. Ferguson recorded a technical fall (19–4) and a decision victory before advancing to the semifinals. He fell to eventual champion David Gleason (Missouri) by fall, then dropped the third-place bout to Lloyd Epperson (Missouri Valley). Colby Gray earned a major decision win over Aidan Cameron (Indian Hills CC), scoring 11 points in the bout.

Xerarch Tungjaroenkul picked up two decision victories, defeating Drake Jenkins and Peyton Asbury from Central Methodist before being eliminated later in the bracket.

165 Pounds
Dax Gentes finished fifth overall at 165 pounds after a productive day on the mat. Gentes opened with a fall at 4:57, followed by a major decision and a technical fall (15–0). He advanced deep into the consolation bracket before ultimately securing a top-five finish.

174 Pounds
Central Missouri was represented by Grant Van Horn and Paul Hernandez. Van Horn finished fifth overall, recording three bonus-point wins on the day. He earned two technical falls and added a first-period fall (2:30) before falling in the placement round. Hernandez competed in a tough bracket, falling by pin to Kolten Oborny of Missouri.

At 197 pounds, Landon Dobson and Trey Brewer represented the Mules. Dobson finished second overall, advancing to the championship bout before falling to Missouri's Logan Cole.  His runner-up finish marked another podium result for Central Missouri. Brewer placed fifth, earning multiple bonus-point victories along the way. Brewer recorded a technical fall, a first-period fall, and a major decision before being eliminated in the placement rounds.

285 Pounds
Heavyweight Dawson Rull earned three wins today before dropping his bout against MU's Sampson Stillwell in the consolation bracket. 

Up Next, Central Missouri heads to Wichita, Kan., on Friday, Feb. 14, when the Mules face Newman at 3 p.m.