MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State is sending four wrestlers to this year’s NCAA Division II National Championships taking place in Birmingham, Ala., Friday and Saturday.
Senior Adam Cooling (174 lbs.) is making his second NCAA Championship appearance after placing third last season and becoming an All-American. Cooling led Minnesota State with a 32-2 record, and was one of only two wrestlers to take part in every Maverick dual. Cooling’s career record stands at 104-23. Cooling won the 174 pound weight class in regionals posting a perfect 3-0 record and did not surrender a single offensive point throughout the tournament.
Junior Corey Abernathy (184 lbs.) won eight of his last nine matches of the season en route to a second place finish at the Super Region 3 Tournament. Abernathy is leading Minnesota State in decisions this season with 11. He posted a 22-6 overall record and was 8-1 in duals. Abernathy has a 43-17 career record for the Mavericks and is the fifth ranked wrestler nationally in his weight class.
Matthew Blome (197 lbs.) is the first freshman since 2013 to earn a trip to the NCAA Championships for Minnesota State. Blome wrestled to a 26-8 record in his first collegiate season on the mats with more than half of his wins coming from falls. Blome is leading the Mavericks with 14 falls this season and will enter the national tournament as the 10th ranked wrestler at 197. Blome upset the #8 wrestler in the nation on his way to a fourth place finish at regionals to earn a trip to Birmingham and the National Championships.
Visit The Guillotine College Tournament Time Page for brackets, results, and live video links.