Alexandar, Godfrey, Capp Trojans 2014 NAIA National Tournament Qualifiers

MARSHALL, Mo. – Hannibal-LaGrange qualified three wrestlers for the NAIA National Championships and finished eighth as a team Saturday while competing in the NAIA Central Qualifying Tournament.
Senior Bryce Alexander (165 lb.), freshman Grant Godfrey (165 lb.) and senior Dan Capp (184 lb.) all qualified for the NAIA Championships with top-five finishes at the qualifying tournament.
Alexander qualified for his fourth showing at the NAIA Championships with a third place finish in the 165 pound bracket. The Maryville, Mo. native closed out the tournament with a 4-1 record, including a victory over teammate Godfrey.
Alexander started the day off with back-to-back wins over Courtney Shavers (Benedictine) and Joshua Eidson (Lindenwood-Belleville) by way of a 6-0 decision and 13-3 major decision, respectfully. The senior suffered his lone loss of the tournament in an 8-3 decision against Jordon Ward (Bethany), placing him into the consolation bracket against Godfrey.
Alexander made quick work of his teammate, winning by fall in 33 seconds before taking third place with a 6-1 decision over Dylan King (Missouri Valley).
Godfrey also won his first match of the day, defeating Jamie Shawver (Oklahoma City) by a 12-6 decision. However, the freshman lost his next match by fall to eventual champion Chad Lowman (Grand View), placing him into the consolation bracket.
The Ozark, Mo. native followed the loss with a win by fall over Josue Terrones (Benedictine). Godfrey pinned Terrones in 1:37 before losing by fall to Alexander. The loss to his teammate placed Godfrey into the fifth place match against Eidson where he won by fall in 1:24 to claim a top-five finish in the 165 pound weight class.
Capp claimed an at-large bid into the NAIA Championships, giving the senior his third trip to the national championships after placing fifth in the Central Qualifying Tournament.
The Kansas City, native won his opening match with a 10-0 major decision over Vincent Opuiyo (Benedictine) before losing a 4-2 decision to Parker Owen (Baker). The loss sent Capp into the consolation bracket where he defeated Jose Hernandez (Benedictine) and Spencer Wilson (Bethany) by 7-2 and 5-4 decisions, respectfully.
Capp then fell by a 6-2 decision to eventual third place finisher Cody Sivertsen (Oklahoma City) and defeated John Hambleton (Baker) 5-3 to claim fifth place in the 184 pound weight class.
The three Trojan wrestlers will now prepare for the NAIA National Championships held in Topeka, Kan. on March 7-8.

--Jordan Argo, HLGU SID

Preliminary Brackets and NAIA Press Release