Maryville University Athletics

2018-19: Matt’s lifestyle, work power, dedication, commitment, and discipline paid off as he qualified for the NCAA Division II National Tournament with an outstanding 3rd place finish at the Super Region IV Tournament. He had two wins at the National Championships and was a match away from becoming a NCAA Division II All-American. He received the team’s Most Improved Award and the Outstanding Redshirt Junior Award. He received the Rebounding Power Award for the Grit he has shown in rebounding from setbacks during the year. He was awarded the Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Warrior Award and the “Bongo” Ultimate Utility Wrestler Award for his willingness to move up from the 157-pound weight class to the 174-pound weight class to help the team. He placed 5th at the Kaufman/Brand/Bayly Open, 6th at the Jim Koch Open, 4th at the Pat “Flash” Flanagan Open, and 3rd at the NCAA Super Region IV Tournament. He went 5-4 in dual meet competition. He earned the NCAA National Qualifier Award and his third Varsity Letter Award. Matt was selected as a NWCA Scholar All-American for the second time. He had a big part in helping the team win the NWCA All-Academic Division II Team National Championship for the second year in a row. He earned the Wrestler of the Week and OOOSSS award six times during the season. Matt is a leader by example and a “Positive Force” on our team. He makes our Dojo a “Better Place”.

2017-18: Matt earned the Varsity position at 157 pounds. His Work Power, Dedication and Commitment to improve every day is motivating and inspiring. He has the right ingredients to become one of the best wrestlers in NCAA Division II. He is an excellent student who is a Positive Force for us on and off the mat. He finished the season as a 20 match winner with a 20-19 record. He earned the Team’s Iron Man Award for competing in every competition during the season. He placed fourth at the Kaufman/Brand/Bayly, sixth at the Jim Koch Open, second at the Pat “Flash” Flanagan Open, and went 2-2 in the Super Regional III Tournament. He earned a Varsity Letter Award for
the second time, 20 Match Winner Award, Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award, Grit Award and Iron Man Award. He was named Wrestler of the Week four times and the OOOSSS Award Winner two times.

2016-17: Matt wrestled at 165 lbs and placed in three out of the four tournaments he competed in and had a record of 16-10 for the season. Matt began his season by placing 4th at the Kaufman/Brand Open, where he went 5-2 in the Amateur Division. He also placed 4th at the Joe Parisi Tournament and went 5-2 in the Amateur Division. Matt placed 6th at the Jim Koch Wisconsin Open and went 3-3 for the tournament. Matt wrestled in 6 varsity duals, going 4-2 and providing some big wins for the team and gaining valuable varsity experience. Matt earned his first Varsity Letter Award this season, was named a Wrestler of the Week six times, OOOSSS Award winner three times and was awarded the Dr. Mark Lombardi Saint Award for his performance on the mat and in the classroom. Matt continues to improve and will compete for a starting position in the 2017-18 line-up for the Saints.

2015-16: Won his first college tournament championship at the Missouri Valley Open. Won The Outstanding Redshirt Award for his performance while competing unattached in five open tournaments. He placed Fifth in the Maryville Kaufman/Brand Open (Amateur Division) where he had a 4-2 record. He placed Sixth at the Wisconsin Open with a 3-3 record. He capped off his season with his best performance in his last tournament of the season at the Missouri Valley Open. He went 3-0 and won the 165 lbs Championship. He finished the season with a 10-8 record and captured the team’s Wrestler of the Week Award three times and the OOOSSS Award once.

 
HONORS & AWARDS
Career Record: 54-45
2019 WOW & OOOSSS Award (6)
2019 Most Improved
2019 Outstanding Redshirt Junior
2019 NWCA Scholar All-American (2x)
2019 NCAA DII National Qualifier
2019 Varsity Letter Award (3x)
2019 Rebounding Power Award
2019 Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Warrior Award
2019 “Bongo” Ultimate Utility Wrestler
2019 NWCA DII All-Academic National Team Champion
2018 Varsity Letter Award (2x)
2018 20 Match Winner (20)
2018 Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award
2018 GRIT Award
2018 Iron Man Award
2018 Wrestler of the Week (4x)
2018 OOOSSS Award (2x)
2017 Varsity Letter Award
2017 Wrestler of the Week (6x)
2017 OOOSSS Award (3x)
2017 Dr. Mark Lombardi Saint Award
2016 Outstanding
2016 Outstanding Redshirt
2016 Wrestler of the Week (3x)
2016 OOOSSS Award

High School: Matt is a four-time Kansas State Place Finisher. He finished 7th as a Freshman, 4th as a Sophomore and was a Kansas State Champion his Junior and Senior seasons. He currently holds the Kansas State High School Single Season Win Record with 51. Matt is also a USA Folkstyle All-American. He is a Monster Match and Big Horn National Champion. Matt has been selected to the Kansas National Team 11 times. Matt was also a Varsity Letter Award recipient in football at St. James Academy.

High School Career: Career Record: 146-40 Freshman: 31-17, Sophomore: 34-15, Junior: 51-6, Senior: 30-2
 
ABOUT MATT
Nickname: Red Stallion
Parents: Joseph & Melody Siblings: Rachel & Sarah
HS coach’s name(s): Mike Medina
Greatest moment in wrestling: Winning Kansas State
2nd State Championship. I went through a lot of adversity that season.
People who have had the greatest influence in your life: Jesus and My Dad.
Favorite athlete: Kyle Dake
Favorite entertainer: Daniel Tosh
Favorite food: Chipotle
Favorite book: U.S. Constitution
Favorite wrestling move: Whatever scores me points
Favorite quote: “Earn it ”–Tom Brands
Craziest ambition: President of the United States
If I could meet one person: Jesus Christ
I came to Maryville because: Coach Denney and the success of the program. I knew this was the place for me and Dustin Politte.
Best sports advice ever received: If you want something, go get it.
Treasured possessions: My car
Something people don’t know about me: Never been to a concert.