Karibo Tabbed Heart Men’s Wrestler of the Week

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Following a championship performance this past weekend, Malachi Karibo was named Heart of America Athletic Conference Men's Wrestler of the Week, the league announced on Monday.

Karibo won all five of his matches at the Missouri Valley Invite to claim first place in the 197-pound bracket. 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.

Earlier this year, Karibo recorded a third-place finish at the Doane Open and finished sixth at the Grand View Open. He was conference runner-up at 197 pounds as a freshman last season which earned him a trip to the NAIA Nationals where he advanced to the quarterfinals.

Karibo and the Wildcats wrestle next at a dual with Central Methodist on Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Fayette, Mo.

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