LUKE WARD NAMED KCAC MEN’S WRESTLER OF THE WEEK

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Following a tremendous performance at the Missouri Valley Open, Avila senior Luke Ward has been named the KCAC Men’s Wrestler of the Week, the conference announced today. It marks the second-straight week in which an Avila men’s wrestler has earned the honor, following Raul Romero’s win last week.

“Luke ‘Psychiatric’ Ward is the epitome of Living the Way of the Eagle,” said Head Coach Eric Mateo. “Luke had a great performance and beat everyone he wrestled on Saturday – including in the third-place match where he defeated the wrestler who he lost to in the opener. It was the best I’ve seen Luke wrestle in his career.”

Ward had a phenomenal performance in Marshall, Mo., on Saturday, going 6-1 on the day and taking third-place in the 149-pound class. Ward started off his winning ways with an 18-2 tech fall victory over Jesse Shannon of Missouri Valley, following that up with a 4:21 pin over Cameron Bruce from Missouri Valley.

Ward’s first of three-straight decision wins came over Robert Mesa II from Missouri Baptist, then against Benedictine’s Daniel Loizeaux.

In a revenge match against Esteban Armenta from Missouri Valley, Ward wrapped up his weekend with a 7-1 decision after losing to Armenta in the opener.

Ward is the third Eagle men’s wrestler to win the KCAC honor this season, joining Romero (Jan. 26-Feb. 1) and Tyler Johnson (Nov. 3-9).

Ward and his teammates will wrap up the regular season with a dual against Oklahoma Wesleyan on Thursday at 7 PM at Mabee Fieldhouse.