Karibo Captures 197-Title, Wildcats Wrestle Strong at MVC Invite

MARSHALL, Mo. – Malachi Karibo came out on top of the 197-pound bracket to lead a strong outing for the Wildcats as the Baker men's wrestling team earned three top-seven finishes at the Missouri Valley Invite this past weekend.

Karibo won all five of his matches in Marshall, Mo. to claim first place at 197 pounds. After a first-round bye, he won three straight matches by decision on Friday to set himself up for a placement finish on Saturday. The sophomore grappler from Wichita, Kan. would have to take down a couple of the best wrestlers in the nation if he wanted to collect the top prize. In the semifinals, Karibo – who ranks eighth nationally at 197 – faced No. 4 Garavous Kouekabakilaho of Grand View and advanced to the championship on a 4-3 decision. He completed the gauntlet at 197 with a 3-1 victory over Eastern Oregon's Marco Retano, who ranks fifth nationally.

At 165 pounds, Joey Hancock went 6-2 to place fifth in the two-day tournament. He also won his first three Friday matches before falling in the quarterfinals. Hancock bounced back in the consolation bracket, winning a couple of tight bouts with a 5-3 decision and then a sudden death victory that put him in the consolation semifinals. After coming up short in the semifinals, he earned his fifth-place finish on a medical forfeit.

Brett Bober finished seventh in the 184-pound bracket after going 4-2 on the weekend. He won by tech fall and a 9-6 decision on Friday before going on to earn a pin on Saturday and eventually placing on a medical forfeit.

Saoul Prado picked up five wins during his time in Marshall as well, finishing 5-2 in the 125-pound division. After winning his first match and falling in his second one, Prado rattled off four straight wins before bowing out in the sixth round of the consolation bracket.

Up next, the Wildcats travel to Fayette, Mo. for a dual with Central Methodist on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m.

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