GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's wrestling program is prepared to compete at one of the toughest tournaments of the year when they travel to the Missouri Valley Invite. The two-day event will begin on Friday, Jan. 21 at 9:00 a.m.

The tournament will feature a majority of the top programs from coast to coast. Wrestling coaches tend to view the results of this tournament as a barometer for how much work needs to be done before the NAIA National Tournament.

"This tournament has just about every top program in the country," head coach Steve Komac said. "Most individuals that we will see at the National Tournament will be here. It'll be a really good indicator of where we're at and what we have left to do this year."

The tournament will add to an already competitive week for the Argos (3-4). The team dueled NCAA Division I opponent Iowa State on Sunday, losing 49-0.

"We took a good little break before the Iowa State competition and we could tell that against them we weren't firing on all cylinders," Komac said. "We've hit it hard earlier in the week to get our shape back up to where we want it to be. The kids responded really well so hopefully we'll respond well this weekend."

The coaching staff is hoping that those on the team who are hoping to become All-Americans make a name for themselves this weekend. Four Argo wrestlers were ranked in the Top 20 in their respective weight classes in the latest NAIA National Poll, and there are many more who believe they are capable of wrecking some havoc against the top wrestlers in the nation. 

"The guys that want to be National Qualfiers and All-Americans, those are the guys that need to find their way into the placing this weekend," Komac said. "If not it shows that we still have some room to go."