FARGO, N.D — Behind championship performances from Nate Rotert and J.J. Everard, South Dakota State continued to build momentum towards the dual season. Rotert and Everard both took down Minnesota foes in the finals as Rotert beat #1 Scott Schiller by injury default, while Everard beat #20 Michael Kroells, 6-5.
Rotert was up 2-0 when Schiller suffered an apparent knee injury and could not continue.
Up 5-3 late in the third, Everard gave up a takedown to Kroells, but escaped in the waning moments of the match to defeat the ranked Golden Gopher. Everard also picked up wins over Luke Destiche (Minnesota) and Justice Davis (Concordia-Moorehead) en route to his title bout. Rotert beat Joe Gomez (Northern State) and Delson Saintal (Concordia-Moorehead) prior to his win over Schiiler.
In the 157-lb title match, #18 Cody Pack went toe-to-toe with #1 Dylan Ness (Minnesota), but dropped a 6-3 decision.
For the second consecutive week, Brance Simms made a title run in the 133-lb weight class, but fell short in the championship bout. Today Simms fell to #3 Chris Dardanes (Minnesota), 15-5.
Sophomore Ben Schwery opened his BIson Open with three falls and four wins overall, but fell to #1 Logan Storley in the title bout.
Fresh off his Dak Open title, 149-lb freshman Colin Holler had another strong day, as he went 4-1 en route to a third-place finish. Likewise, freshman David Kocer placed third as he went 5-1 with his only loss to #1 Logan Storley (Minnesota).
SDSU will travel to Miami, Okla., to take on Oklahoma State on Sunday.