Olivet College’s King selected MIAA Most Valuable Wrestler

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. – Olivet College junior Donovan King has been chosen the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Most Valuable Wrestler for the 2023 season.

King, the No. 1-ranked wrestler at 285 pounds according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association, had a combined 6-0 record in the four MIAA dual matches and the individual championships. He scored bonus points in each of the five wins. He had three pins (Andrew Captain from Trine in 2:38, Christopher Krum from Albion in 1:38 and Gavin Babb from Trine in 2:12), two technical falls (16-0 over Joe Maier from Alma and 28-13 over Kyler Bills from Trine), and a forfeit win over Adrian.

"Donovan has been absolutely dominating in his performances this year," said Olivet head coach Brandon Brissette. "In the league he has produced nothing, but tech falls and pins. He has no losses against DIII competition, and his victories include a first and second period fall against the returning third- and seventh-place NCAA All-Americans. Donovan is a captain and our emotional leader before and after duals, and always pushes his teammates to bring their full effort."

King currently boasts a 23-2 overall record and is currently riding a 22-match winning streak. Of his 23 wins, King has scored bonus points in all except three. His wins are three minor decisions, one major decision, three technical falls, 15 pins and one forfeit. King's two losses were against wrestlers from NCAA Division I programs at the Michigan State Open.

King is the eighth wrestler in school history to be named the MIAA's Most Valuable Wrestler. The others are Dave Elliott in 1974, Joe Gibbs in 1977, Mark Clem in 1978, Dan Pantaleo in 1983 and 1984, Tyler Grimsley in 2019, Hunter Murphy in 2021 and Owen Guilford in 2022.

King is back in action Saturday and Sunday, February 25-26, at the 2023 NCAA Division III Central Regional Meet, hosted by Case Western Reserve (Ohio) University. The top three wrestlers in the 10 weight classes advance to the 2023 NCAA Division III Championship March 10-11 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia.