Marshall, Mo. (January 12, 2015)- Missouri Valley College Junior Jake Ekster (Houston, Texas) has been selected as the Heart of America Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week for his performance over the weekend at the National Duals in Fort Wayne, Ind.  Ekster helped Missouri Valley to a No. 8 finish at the event.

Ekster, the No. 2 ranked wrestler in the 149 pound weight class, finished 5-0 in matches, including two pins and one victory by technical fall.  Ekster defeated two other Nationally ranked wrestlers in the 149 pound weight class, knocking off No. 12 Tristan Macri of the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) in a 5-4 decision and No. 6 Thomas Garty of Indiana Tech in a 17-2 technical fall.

Ekster improved his individual record to 15-1 against NAIA competition and 21-6 overall on the season.  Additionally, this is Ekster’s second weekly conference award of the season, as he was also honored on Nov. 10, and his fifth-career conference honor.

“Jake wrestled very well over the weekend and was key in our win over top 10 Embry-Riddle,” said Head Coach Mike Machholz.  “He’s wrestled well so far this season, but we’ve got an important home event this weekend leading up to regionals next month.”

The No. 8 Viking men’s wrestling team will return to action Friday and Saturday hosting the Missouri Valley Invitational at the Burns Athletic Complex.  Opening rounds will begin Friday at 6 p.m., with the tournament continuing Saturday at 9 a.m.  Nearly 30 programs are expected to be in action at the event.

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