James HouchinsJames Houchins
Wrestling

Five Win Titles at MVC Open

Feb. 7, 2011

Final Bracket Get Acrobat Reader | Final Results Get Acrobat Reader

MARSHALL, Mo. – Five Missouri grapplers claimed titles in their respective weight class this past Saturday at the Missouri Valley Open, with eight others placing in the top six.  

Kellen Bounous (149), Drake Houdashelt (157), James Houchins (174), Johnny Eblen (184) and Devin Mellon (HWT) all finished in first place.  For Houdashelt, it was his third open championship of the season for the freshman, while Bounous and Mellon claimed their second of the year.  Houchins and Eblen all finished in first place for the first time this season.

Also placing for the Tigers were Luke Cherep (second, 141 pounds), Simon Kitzis (fourth, 141 pounds), Nicholas Hucke (second, 149 pounds), Jordan Gagliano (third, 165 pounds), Todd Porter (second, 174 pounds), Dustin Williams (fourth, 184 pounds), Ryan Robinson (third, 197 pounds) and Jake Glore (fifth, HWT).

Bounous made his way to the finals with four consecutive decisions of his own before earning a win via forfeit over Hucke in the finals.

Houdashelt pinned two of his first three opponents while beating the other by a major decision, winning 12-0.  He defeated his last two opponents of the day by scores of 4-1 and 9-3 to finish a perfect 5-0.

At 174, Houchins won his first match by a 16-2 major decision, then pinned top-seeded Chris Chionuma of Lindenwood in 6:21, and then advanced to the finals with a 5-3 decision.  He was awarded the victory by forfeit over teammate Porter, who also recorded a fall, major decision and decision on his way to the final match.

Eblen pinned his first opponent in 3:30 and then scored a 15-0 technical fall in his next match.  The 184 pounder then picked up two straight decisions on his way to the championship.

At heavyweight, Mellon won by fall in 24 seconds in his opening match, and then cruised to the championship with three straight decisions, winning 7-1, 9-5 and 4-2.

The Tigers are back in action this Sunday, Feb. 13, when they take on conference foe Iowa State in their last dual match of the season.  Action gets underway at 1 p.m. CT.