Aberdeen S.D. – The Mustangs had two wrestlers place at the NCAA Super Regional V tournament on Saturday, Feb. 25.
After losing his first-round match by a 2-1 decision, Sean Howk picked up the first victory of the day for the SMSU wrestling team with his 4-2 victory in the first tiebreaker round against Minnesota State’s Drake Hayward. Howk would pick up where he left off against Hayward in the third consolation round, as he managed to defeat Minot State’s Peyton Ringling by a 6-2 decision. Unfortunately for Howk, he was defeated by Upper Iowa’s Eric Faught in the consolation semifinals by an 8-1 decision. The loss sent Howk to the fifth-place match against Miles Fitzgerald (AUGIE). Howk battled Fitzgerald into overtime, where he lost 4-2 in a sudden victory for Fitzgerald.
Elijah Sterner was the other Mustang wrestler to pick up a victory at the regional tournament. After receiving a bye in the first round, Sterner was defeated by Max Bruss (UMary) by a 4-2 decision. In the consolation side, Sterner matched up with Cael Meyer from Upper Iowa. Sterner took Meyer down early and secured a fall (1:59). Sterner then was on the other end of a fall, as he lost to Kolby Kost (AUGIE). Elijah then took part in the fifth-place match, where he was matched up with Anthony Castro (MSUM). Sterner took Castro to the wire, failing to secure a takedown as time expired. Castro won by 9-7 decision.
As a team, SMSU placed tenth, scoring 12.5 points.
“What a day.” Said second-year head coach Chayse Jackson. “Filled with the highs of wins and lows of heartbreak. For the final tournament of the year, we showed that we are capable of winning and placing in this region. Two unseeded guys picked up huge wins to place and advance the team. Both are coming back. The future is bright. But the road ahead is long and filled with a lot of work. More to come from this team. Lets Ride!”
NCAA Division II Super Region 5 Qualifier Results
Championship First Round
125 – Ben Emrich (2-13) BYE
133 – Open
141 – Hunter Pfantz (8-14) Lost, Dec. 6-5, Ethan Wonser, Minot State
149 – Tyler Soltau (2-18) Lost, Dec. 10-4, Leo Mushinsky (15-11), UMary
157 – Sean Howk (13-10) Lost, Dec. 2-1, Braydon Huber (14-3), UMary
165 – Lucas Hodges (10-12) Lost, Fall 4:48, Kole Marko (26-5), Minnesota State
174 – Elijah Sterner (2-15) BYE
184 – Open
197 – Carter Marx (9-11) Lost, 3-1 SV, Dustin Swisher, Minot State
285 – Jacob Dykes (13-8) Lost, 4-2 SV Zach Peterson (12-10), Augustana
Championship Quarterfinals
125 – Ben Emrich (2-13) Lost, Fall (1:39), Shane Corrigan, UW-Parkside
174 – Elijah Sterner (2-15) Lost, Dec. 4-2, vs. Max Bruss (27-3), UMary
Consolation Second Round
141 – Hunter Pfantz Lost, Dec. 14-12, Kolton Roth, Northern State
149 – Tyler Soltau Lost, 16-0 TF (1:56), Ethen Doty, Upper Iowa
157 – Sean Howk Won, 4-2 TB1, Drake Hayward, Minnesota State
165 – Lucas Hodges Lost, 7-6 TB1, Chase Bloomquist, Northern State
197 – Carter Marx Lost, 10-0 MD, Max Ramberg, Augustana
285 – Jacob Dykes Lost, Fall (2:21), vs. Zach Ryg, Upper Iowa
Consolation Third Round
125 – Ben Emrich Lost, MD 11-1, Oscar Nellis, Minot State
157 – Sean Howk Won, Dec. 6-2, Peyton Ringling, Moorhead
174 – Elijah Sterner Won, Fall (1:59), Cael Meyer, Upper Iowa
Consolation Semifinals
157 – Sean Howk Lost, Dec. 8-1, Eric Faught, Upper Iowa
174 – Elijah Sterner Lost, Fall (2:12), Kolby Kost, Augustana
Fifth Place Matches
157 – Sean Howk Lost, 4-2 SV, Miles Fitzgerald (AUGIE)
174 – Elijah Sterner Lost, Dec. 9-7, Anthony Castro (MSUM)
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