Kansas City, Mo. - For the first time in program history, the Central Methodist Men's Wrestling program has garnered national weekly honors. 

Redshirt senior Don James Griffin was named the NAIA National Men's Wrestler of the Week, the first Eagle to earn national honors in program history. 

He was selected from a pool of conference/Continental Athletic Conference (Independents)/unaffiliated group nominees after being named the Heart of America Men's Wrestler of the Week. 

The native of St. Louis, Missouri, dominated the 157-pound bracket at the highly prestigious Missouri Valley College Invite this past weekend. Griffin posted a perfect 6-0 record, knocking off three ranked wrestlers in No. 25, No. 7, and No. 1 in the championship match. 

He outscored his opponents 40-8 and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. It marks the first time an Eagle has ever earned the honor. 

Additionally, the Eagles finished 11th in the team standings, the highest finish for the program in school history. 

"I couldn't be more proud of Don's effort and attitude at the Missouri Valley Invite this past weekend," said Head Coach Graham Karwath.

"He was absolutely on fire, wrestling lights out to beat the eventual tournament runner-up, as well as the third- and fourth-place finishers— and he did it all in dominating fashion. His focus and determination throughout the week were unmatched, and it truly showed when it was time to compete. Don has been the first to accomplish many great things in our program and continues raising the bar for everyone else. His mindset and work ethic are the keys to his success, propelling him to compete at such a high level. I'm beyond proud of him for achieving another groundbreaking first for our program!

Griffin and the Eagles will return to dual action against Heart foe (RV) Baker University on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 8:00 p.m. inside Puckett Field House. 

To view the NAIA release on this week's NAIA Wrestler of the Week, please click here. 

#TakeFlight