MOORHEAD, Minn. – Sophomore Steven Monk and freshman Evan Knutson won gold division titles to lead the North Dakota State wrestling team at the Cobber Open on Saturday, Nov. 19. The Bison also had seven other wrestlers place in the top six at the meet.
Monk went 4-0 en route to the 157 pound title, upsetting No. 19 David Bonin of Northern Iowa in the final in a 7-2 decision. Monk opened with a 4-2 decision over Concordia’s Kevin Fynboh and pinned Dakota Wesleyan’s Trever Devestern in 3 minutes 54 seconds. In the semifinals, Monk defeated Jacob Horn of St. Cloud in a 9-2 decision.
At heavyweight, Knutson won the title with a 3-0 record. He won a 4-1 decision over Concordia’s Cody Kasprick in the final. He won a 3-2 decision over Northern Iowa’s Cody Krumwiede, who competed unattached, in his opening bout and then pinned Mary’s Martin Patron in 5:26 in the semifinals.
Junior Tyler Diamond was second at 141 pounds after dropping a 4-2 decision to Mary’s Trevor Johnson in the final. At 174 pounds, redshirt freshman Kurtis Julson took second after falling to St. Cloud State’s Tad Merritt in an 8-6 decision in the final. Junior Mac Stoll also finished second at 184 pounds. He was pinned in 3:47 by No. 7 Ryan Loder of Northern Iowa, who competed unattached.
Senior Justin Solberg was sixth at 133 pounds, while juniors Joe Garner and Mark Erickson were fourth and fifth, respectively, at 149 pounds. Senior Tyler Johnson was fifth at 165 pounds.
In the maroon division, freshmen Hayden Zillmer (149) and Kody Sorenson (184) both won titles competing as unattached wrestlers.
The Bison open dual action Sunday, Nov. 27 against No. 4 Minnesota in Minneapolis.