MIDWAY, Ky. -- The Mid-South Conference office announced on Monday, January 23, that Byron Pierce of the Midway wrestling team has been named the MSC Men's Wrestler of the Week for his performance on the mat the week of Jan. 16-22.

The weekly honor is the first of the season for Pierce, while it also is the first of his career. It marks the second straight week that a Midway wrestler has earned the honor after Brent Hudgins (Cynthiana, Ky.) took home the honor last week.

Pierce, who is ranked No. 19 in the NAIA at heavyweight, earns the honor following his performance at the highly competitive Missouri Valley College Invitational. The junior from Paintsville, Ky., finished in fourth place after posting a 4-2 mark.

After receiving a bye in his opening round match, Pierce advanced to the third round following a narrow 4-1 victory over Chance Robinson of Jamestown (N.D.). The junior then punched his ticket to the quarterfinals after pinning Kadence Baker of Texas Wesleyan in the second period.

In the quarterfinals, he matched up against a familiar foe, Noel Orozco of Eastern Oregon, who handed Pierce a 2-1 defeat in the 2021 NAIA National Championships. This time around Pierce got his revenge with a third period pin over the No. 4 ranked grappler in the heavyweight division.

In his semifinal match, Pierce suffered a narrow 3-0 defeat to Tommy Mommer of Grand View (Iowa), but he bounced back and advanced to the third-place match following a second period pin over Jacob Vincent of Simpson (Calif.).

Pierce then claimed a fourth-place finish after coming up short against Missouri Valley's Joshua Isaac (No. 7 at heavyweight).

As a team, the Eagles finished the prestigious tournament in 14th place out of 43 teams. They were also the highest-finishing team from the Mid-South Conference.

Pierce and the remainder of the Midway wrestling team are set to return to the mat on Wednesday (Jan. 25) when they host Thomas More (Ky.) at 7 p.m. ET inside Hunter Field House.

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