The St. Cloud State University wrestling team (3-0, 0-0 NSIC) traveled to the 2019 Finn Grinaker Open in Moorhead, Minn. on Nov. 16. SCSU post a strong showing in this open style meet with a pair of first-place finishes. No team scores were kept at this event and the meet was hosted by Concordia College-Moorhead.
SCSU Joey Bianchini scored a first-place finish in the 141-pound bracket with a 3-0 record. He brought home the title with a 10-3 win in the championship match against Kenny Jones of Northern State.
The Huskies also received a first-place performance from Devin Donovan, who placed first at 174-pounds. He was 3-0 and won the title with a 7-3 victory over Evan Foster of MSU, Moorhead. He was joined in action at 174-pounds by teammate Josh Barzowski, who placed third at the Finn Grinaker with a 3-1 record.
At 133-pounds, SCSU’s Adam Hedin placed second with a 2-1 record. In the title match, Hedin lost a close 5-4 decision against NSU’s Dayne Norton.
At 149-pounds, SCSU’s Jake Mandt also placed second with a 3-1 record. In the championship match, Mandt lost by an 8-2 decision against Shandi Mitwalli of Minot State.
In action at 184-pounds, SCSU’s William Pitzner placed second with a 3-1 record. He lost by a fall in the title bout to Marcus Placide of NSU but he did open the tournament with a big 14-1 win over Mary’s Phillip Springsteen, a return All-American.
SCSU’s Riley Vanik placed third at 197-pounds with a 4-1 record, which included a 2:21 pinfall win over Gabe Zierden of Concordia in the third-place bout. At 285-pounds, SCSU’s Tyler Hugg was 2-1.
2019 Finn Grinaker Cobber Open Results
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