SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Minnesota State University Moorhead wrestler Blake Bosch earned All-American honors for a second straight year after placing fourth at the NCAA Championships held at the Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The fourth-place finish is the best at the national tournament for Bosch, who finished a collegiate-best 34-7 on the season.
“Blake wrestled a good tournament,” MSUM head coach Kris Nelson said. “He recorded a technical fall and lost a very close match in the semis. He ran into the returning national champion for third and fourth and put forth his best effort. He had a great year and our coaching staff appreciates all the hard work, commitment, and dedication he puts forth every day.”
Bosch started the day by facing Nick Crume of Indianapolis in the semifinals. Bosch scored an early takedown to take a 2-0 lead, and from there, the match was back and forth. He led 4-3 before Crume regained the lead at 5-4 and went on to take the 7-5 win.
The loss, which ended a career-best 25-match winning streak for Bosch, dropped him into the consolation bracket. He rebounded nicely with a pin of Naquan Hardy of McKendree in 1:41 to advance to the third-place match.
“He stuck to the same plan he did all year and continued to wrestle aggressive taking shots and looking for pins when he was in the top position,” Nelson said.
In the third-place match, Bosch faced Daniel DeShazer (37-6) of Nebraska-Kearney, who was ranked No. 1 in the nation entering the tournament. DeShazer earned a win by fall over Bosch in 3:35 to secure third, with Bosch taking fourth.
Bosch is now a three-time national qualifier with two All-American honors and a career record of 83-33.
“His goal was to be a national champion and it still is,” Nelson said. “We look forward to seeing him make another run at the title next year. He will continue to work hard and be a leader for the MSUM program and we are excited to see what he accomplishes during his senior year.”
NCAA Division II National Championships Brackets/Results on TrackWrestling.com