Four Bison Wrestlers Listed
FARGO, N.D.–North Dakota State University was ranked No. 22 in the InterMat.com NCAA Division I Dual Meet Rankings released this week, while four Bison wrestlers were listed among the top 20 in the individual weight class rankings. Junior Hayden Zillmer was No. 10 at 174 pounds, senior Evan Knutson ranked No. 11 at 285, Josh Rodriguez was No. 13 at 125, and junior Kurtis Julson ranked No. 17 at 184.
Zillmer, Knutson and Julson are returning NCAA Championships qualifiers for the Bison, as the trio advanced to the national tournament last season. Knutson is a two-time qualifier.
Zillmer posted a record of 27-8 last season, including a 13-3 mark in duals for NDSU. The Crosby, Minn., native won the 174-pound bracket at the NCAA West Regional to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Knutson was 17-12 last season including a 9-5 dual record for the Bison. The native of Wasau, Wis., won the 285-pound bracket at the NCAA West Regional to advance to the national tournament.
Julson posted a record of 23-13 last year, including a 12-6 mark in duals for NDSU. The Inver Grove Heights, Minn., native earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships, where he went 2-2 and defeated the No. 8 national seed, TJ Dudley of Nebraska.
Rodriguez is coming off a redshirt season in which he was undefeated in his unattached competition, going 17-0 for the year. He went 22-15 as a true freshman for the Bison in 2012-13, starting all 18 duals at 133 pounds.
There are nine home dates overall for NDSU this season including the 44th annual Bison Open on Saturday, Nov. 8, in the Fargodome. The Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse will serve as site for NDSU’s eight remaining home dates.