Howa placed third at 141 pounds with a 2-1 record. The #2 seed advanced on a bye in the first round, but then fell to Eric Graham of Missouri Valley in the semifinals 6-2. The senior rebounded to finish the day with a 6-0 win over Travis Clarke of York (Neb.) and a 12-11 victory against Jeremy Garner of Oklahoma City in the third-place match.

Fourth-place finishers for Penn included 125-pounder Taylor Louie (So., West Covina, Calif., West Covina HS) and 285-pounder Ryan Groom (Fr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS), both of whom were 2-2 on the day. Louie had one major decision victory to his credit.

A trio of Penn grapplers took home fifth-place finishes, including 149-pounder Corey Johnson (Jr., West Park, Fla., Miramar HS) and 174-pounder T.J. Stuart (Jr., Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg HS). Johnson, with a pair of major decisions, and Stuart were both 2-2 on the day, while Karl Spain (So., Lafayette, La., Comeaux HS) joined them in fifth place with a 1-2 mark in the 197-pound bracket.

As a team, Penn finished fifth out of eight teams with 57.5 points. Missouri Valley outdistanced the field with 180.5 points, while Oklahoma City was second with 141 points.

Next: Penn is off more than a week before traveling to Oklahoma City, Okla. for the 52nd Annual NAIA Wrestling National Championships from Thursday-Saturday, March 5-7.