Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) has concluded the first day of the NCAA Division II Wrestling National Championships in ninth place, accumulating 27.5 points. This marks a significant achievement for GVSU, which is in its second year as a varsity sport after a 32-year break. The team is assured of four NCAA DII All-American titles this year.

Chris Donathan, who is top-seeded in the 149-pound category, secured two victories and advanced to the semifinals scheduled for Saturday morning. His wins included a 6-2 match against Brennan Watkins from King College and a technical fall over Ethen Doty from Upper Iowa with a score of 20-4. Donathan will face Nick James from Nebraska-Kearney in the semifinals.

In the 174-pound category, Josh Kenny, seeded second, won his initial match against Wyatt Reisz from Colorado Mines with a close score of 2-1 but lost in the quarterfinals to Matt Ortiz from McKendree by 4-2. Kenny later achieved an All-America status by defeating Clinton Morrisette from King College with an 11-1 major decision.

Brayden Mirjavadi competed in the 184-pound class and won his opening match against Kyler Pickard of Belmont Abbey with a major decision score of 14-3. However, he was defeated by Matt Weinberg from Kutztown and Damon Ashworth from Central Missouri in subsequent rounds.

Wyatt Miller, who earned All-American honors last year, initially lost to Max Ramberg from Augustana but rebounded by pinning Eli Reese from Gannon and securing a win over Dakoda Rodgers to maintain his All-American status.

Carter Blough participated in the heavyweight division (285 pounds) and went into sudden victory rounds for all three matches. He claimed victory over Tyler Haynes from McKendree but lost to Jake Swirple from Minot State before defeating Cale Gray to earn All-American recognition.

GVSU had previously crowned three All-Americans in 2024 and has increased that number to four this year.