BROOKINGS, S.D.–North Dakota State University wrestlers Mitch Bengston (141), Kurtis Julson (174) and Evan Knutson (285) each won individual titles, while Hayden Zillmer (184) was runner-up at the Warren Williamson/Daktronics Open hosted by South Dakota State University on Sunday, Nov. 2, in Frost Arena. Eight other Bison also placed in the top six at the tournament.
North Dakota State is schedule to host the 44th annual Bison Open beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in the Fargodome.
Bengston, a redshirt freshman from St. Cloud, Minn., won the 141-pound division by medical forfeit over unattached Lucas Zilverberg. He advanced with a 3-1 tie breaker victory over Arizona State’s Demechino Spraggins in the semifinals. Bengston recorded a pair of pins in winning five matches.
Julson, a senior from Inver Grove Heights, Minn., broke a 1-1 tie in the third period to defeat Arizona State’s Raymond Waters 3-1 in the 174-pound title match. He posted a 4-0 record and had one pin.
Knutson, a senior from Wausau, Wis., rolled to a 6-1 win over South Dakota State’s J.J. Everard in the 285-pound championship match. He won four matches by decision.
Zillmer, a junior from Crosby, Minn., dropped a hard-fought 4-2 decision to Arizona State’s Blake Stauffer in the second overtime. The match was tied 1-1 at the end of three periods. Zillmer posted a 4-1 record including a pair of pins and one major decision.
North Dakota State redshirt freshman Kyle Gliva, sophomore Justin Scherkenbach and sophomore Hunter Weber placed fourth, fifth and sixth in the 133-pound division, while redshirt freshman Clay Ream and junior Tanner Carlisle placed fourth and sixth, respectively, at 149 pounds. Sophomore Clay Cathey (141), redshirt sophomore Steven Keogh (157) and sophomore Matt Gray (165) each finished fifth in their respective weight classes.