The #2 ranked St. Cloud State University wrestling team (10-0, 2-0 NSIC) extended its dual match unbeaten streak to 38 consecutive wins with a huge 22-15 victory over #1 ranked Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, Jan. 5 in Louisville, Kentucky. The victory moves the Huskies into the championship match at the 2019 NWCA DII National Duals against Notre Dame (Ohio). The title bout will take place at Noon (ET) on Jan. 5 in Louisville.
The Huskies will be looking to claim their third consecutive NWCA DII National Duals championship and the team’s fifth since 2012. SCSU placed second in 2016 and third in 2015 and 2011. Since 2010, SCSU has placed no lower than seventh place at the NWCA DII National Duals tournament.
SCSU opened the match vs. UNK with a 5-4 victory at 125 by #1 Brett Velasquez over #2 Josh Portillo of Kearney. At 141-pounds, Garrett Aldrich earned key points for the Huskies with an 8-7 vicotry over #4 ranked Jon Killingsworth of UNK.
At 149-pounds, #3 ranked James Pleski earned a 3-2 win over Nick Babcock of UNK, while #3 Kolton Eischens padded the Huskies lead with a 16-1 tech fall win at 174-pounds. The match was followed by a 6-3 win by Chance Helmick at 184-pounds and a pin for #1 ranked Vince Dietz at 197-pounds, which sealed the victory for the Huskies.
Fans can follow the match vs. Notre Dame (OH) online at the following sites:
St. Cloud State 22 Nebraska-Kearney 15
125 – Brett Velasquez (St. Cloud State) over Josh Portillo (Nebraska-Kearney) Dec 5-4
133 – Wesley Dawkins (Nebraska-Kearney) over Brandon Briggs (St. Cloud State) Dec 7-1
141 – Garrett Aldrich (St. Cloud State) over Jonathan Killingsworth (Nebraska-Kearney) Dec 8-7
149 – James Pleski (St. Cloud State) over Nickalas Babcock (Nebraska-Kearney) Dec 3-2
157 – Matt Malcom (Nebraska-Kearney) over Jake Barzowski (St. Cloud State) Maj 11-3
165 – Calvin Ochs (Nebraska-Kearney) over Devin Fitzpatrick (St. Cloud State) Dec 2-1
174 – Kolton Eischens (St. Cloud State) over Talon Seitz (Nebraska-Kearney) TF 16-1
184 – Chance Helmick (St. Cloud State) over Isaac Deaton (Nebraska-Kearney) Dec 6-3
197 – Vince Dietz (St. Cloud State) over Brady Radik (Nebraska-Kearney) Fall 1:38
285 – Jarrod Hinrichs (Nebraska-Kearney) over Zach Muller (St. Cloud State) Fall 3:30
Nebraska-Kearney’s team score was adjusted by -1.0 for unsportsmanlike conduct
St. Cloud State’s team score was adjusted by -1.0 for unsportsmanlike conduct
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