Novak, the returning NCAA D-II National Champion at 157 pounds, will wrestle 2023 NCAA D-III National Champion
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State Wrestling junior 157-pounder Nick Novak (New Prague, Minn.) has been selected to compete in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic presented by Cliff Keen, as announced by the organization. Novak will travel to the campus of Penn State University for the event, which is scheduled to take place Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 6:00 p.m. CT.
Novak is the first St. Cloud State wrestler to ever be selected for this event.
The prestigious event began in 1967 and was a staple of the college season until 2017. After a four-year hiatus, the All-Star Classic made its return in 2022 in Austin, Texas due, in large part, to the support of the National Wrestling Coaches Association. This year’s meet will take place at Rec Hall on the campus of Penn State.
Novak is the top-ranked wrestler in NCAA Division-II at 157 pounds and the reigning NCAA National Champion is set to face UW-Lacrosse’s Nolan Hertel, the top-ranked 157-pounder and returning NCAA Division-III National Champion.
Last season, Novak went a perfect 27-0 while earning both Super Region V and NCAA Championships at 157 pounds. The New Prague, Minn., native added a 10-0 dual record to earn First Team All-NSIC honors and NSIC Wrestler of the Year honors while recording eight major decisions, three tech falls and two pins over the course of his sophomore season. A force at his new weight class after moving up in December following an injury at the Huskies’ middle weights, Novak went 5-0 against ranked opponents including three straight ranked wins over No. 2 Gabe Johnson, No. 12 Ben Durocher and No. 10 Miles Fitzgerald in early January. Novak’s key decision over Johnson was one of the most influential bouts in the 2023 NWCA National Duals Championship match as the Huskies earned the title with a thrilling 19-16 victory over No. 1 Central Oklahoma. At the NCAA Championships, Novak became the 18th National Champion in program history after he beat Indianapolis’ Logan Bailey, 3-1, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
In his 2021-22 freshman campaign, Novak was a Super Region V champion and NCAA Qualifier at 149 pounds after going 21-6 with six major decisions, seven technical falls and one fall.
“We are really excited for Nick to get the opportunity to wrestle and represent our program at this prestigious event,” said SCSU Wrestling head coach Steve Costanzo. “Nick is a tremendous representative of St. Cloud State Wrestling and we look forward to him showcasing his wrestling skills on the national stage.”
Information regarding single dual and season tickets can be found at scsutickets.com. For all the latest on St. Cloud State Wrestling, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.