College News

Six Gophers Earn Titles at North Country Open

North Country Open

COLLEGEVILLE, MINN. – Six members of the fourth-ranked Minnesota wrestling team earned individual titles on Saturday, wrestling at the 2011 North Country Open in Collegeville, Minn.

Redshirt freshman Jake Kettler earned the heavyweight title after going 4-0 in the event. Kettler opened the tournament with a 13-3 major decision over Carter Ash (SMSU) and a pair of decisions over Andrew Peralta (MSU-Moorhead) (3-0) and Nikolas Bogojevic (Aug) (3-2) before scoring a fall at 4:52 of the championship bout over Gerad Fugleberg (MSU-Moorhead).

True freshman Scott Schiller also was perfect in Collegeville on Saturday, going 4-0 to win the 197 lbs. bracket. Schiller scored a pair of technical falls in his first two matches (20-4 over Dylan Shequan and 18-2 over Zecharia Schiley) and then pinned Jacob Morris at 4:30 in the semifinal matchup. The freshman added a 9-8 decision over St. John’s Tony Willaert, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, to win the individual title.

Another Gophers true freshman added the 184 lbs. title as Joel Bauman picked up five wins on Saturday. Bauman opened with an 11-5 decision over Alex Kratkramer of Augsburg and then added two major decisions to reach the semifinals. The freshman outscored Erik Rogness (SCSU) 13-5 in his second-round match and then came out ahead against Cody Pahan 10-2. Bauman would defeat Todd Beck (WC) 11-7 in the semifinals and lock up the title with a 7-2 decision over Mitchell Hagan of St. John’s.

Redshirt junior Brian Peterson earned the 157 lbs. championship with a 4-0 performance including a pair of falls in the preliminary rounds. Peterson opened the competition with an 11-0 major decision over Michael Roth (STO) and followed up with his first pin of the day at 6:35 over Garrett Bothun (CC). The redshirt junior would also pin Matthew Vercillo (WC) at 6:59 in his third match of the day before scoring two decisions in the semifinals and finals (6-4 over Justin Skillings of STO and 5-3 over Brandon Seppelt of St. John’s, respectively).

Seth Lange, a freshman for the Gophers, added the 141 lbs. title to his list of accolades. Lange opened the day with a 3-2 decision over Matt Leibforth of St. Cloud State before pinning Michael Orange of Augsburg at 4:13 of his second match. The freshman would tally a 13-4 major decision over Nathan Vaske of WC in the semifinals and finally record a 20-9 major decision over Ryan Timmerman of STO in the finals to secure the title. Redshirt freshman Tom Giaimo would finish fourth in the 141 lbs. bracket with a 4-2 record.

The sixth individual champion for the Gophers at this year’s North Country Open was sophomore Thane Antczak, who picked up four wins to capture the 133 lbs. title. Antczak started the tournament out hot with a pin over James Woiwor of St. John’s at 2:07. He would go on to secure a 6-3 decision over Nathan Lexvold of Augsburg and a 13-4 major decision over Adam Joseph before winning the bracket on a default.

SJU Hosts Annual North Country Open Saturday

The SJU wrestling team hosts its annual North Country Open this Saturday, Feb. 5. The meet is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Donald McNeely Spectrum in Collegeville.

A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: No. 6 Saint John’s went 1-2 at the Minnesota Duals last Friday, Jan. 28, in Perham. The Johnnies opened the triangular with a 35-4 win over St. Olaf, but then dropped back-to-back duals to No. 7 Concordia-Moorhead (32-10) and No. 3 Augsburg (20-19).

Both the Oles and Johnnies forfeited the match at 125 pounds. In fact, SJU forfeited the weight-class in all three duals. SJU then started the dual with a 6-0 lead following St. Olaf’s forfeit at 133 pounds, before the Oles’ Ryan Timmerman earned an 11-2 major decision win. The rest was all Saint John’s, however. Senior Minga Batsukh (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia/St. Benedict’s Prep, N.J.) posted a technical fall at 149, followed by a major decision from senior Drew Larson (Willmar, Minn.) and a 4-0 win from senior Matt Baarson (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park) at 165. Junior Matt Pfarr (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) pinned his opponent at 174, while junior Dustin Baxter (Fairbanks, Alaska/West Valley) and senior Tony Willaert (North Mankato, Minn./Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial) tallied back-to-back major decisions. Junior John Linn (Foley, Minn.) ended the dual with a 6-0 win at heavyweight.

Head coach Brandon Novak decided to rest all of his starters but one, including all five nationally-ranked wrestlers, in the Concordia dual. JuniorChad Henle (Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer) cut the Johnnies’ deficit to 6-3 with an 8-5 upset win over No. 10 Daron Hohbein at 133 pounds. Following a last-second pin, freshman Ryan Arne (Orono, Minn.) recorded a 4-1 win at 149 pounds. Sophomore Chris Stevermer(Savage, Minn./Prior Lake) lost a heartbreaking 7-5 decision in overtime at 165. Freshman Nick Schuler (Roseville, Minn./Totino-Grace) won SJU’s final match with an eye-opening 8-0 major decision of No. 5 Ross Dankers at 174.

The forfeit at 125 proved to be pivotal in the Johnnies’ nightcap, a 20-19 loss to Augsburg. The Auggies jumped out to a 10-0 lead before SJU rolled to four consecutive victories and a 15-10 lead. Senior Chris Sandy (Spirit Lake, Iowa) pinned his opponent in 1:20 at 141, while Batsukh posted a 6-1 upset of No. 3 Tony Valek. Batsukh was ranked fourth nationally. Larson posted a 4-0 win at 157 and Baarson proved his No. 1 ranking with a 7-3 win over No. 5 Orlando Ponce at 165. Pfarr, ranked fourth nationally, dropped a 6-1 decision to No. 2 Zach Molitor. No. 6 Brad Baus gave the lead back to Augsburg, 16-15, with a close 3-1 win over No. 7 Baxter. Willaert gave the lead back to SJU, 19-16, with a major decision at 197. The Auggies’ Zach Molitor, ranked second nationally, did not wrestle at 197. Chad Johnson, ranked 10th, gave Augsburg the one-point win with a 9-0 major decision at heavyweight.

LAST YEAR’S OPEN: Baarson and Willaert each posted 4-0 records to win their respective weight classes at last year’s North Country Open. Over 200 wrestlers from 17 different schools participated in the tournament. Baarson, who entered the weekend ranked No. 10 nationally at 165 pounds, tallied 7-1 and 5-4 decisions to begin the meet before recording a 16-0 technical fall in the semifinals. He then defeated Augsburg’s Orlando Ponce, ranked No. 6, 2-1 in the championship match. The victory was Baarson’s second over Ponce in a two-week span. Willaert cruised through the 197-pound bracket with major decisions in all four of his matches to take the title. Senior John Vaith (Hastings, Minn.) went 4-2 to finish third at 157 pounds, while Henle posted a 5-2 mark to claim fourth place in his first action at 133 pounds. Batsukh and Pfarr did not compete.

THIS YEAR’S MEET: The year’s North Country open is expected to feature well over 200 wrestlers from 18 different schools.

Mavericks Drop One Spot in Latest Rankings

Edmund, Okla. – The Minnesota State Mavericks are now the eighth-ranked team in NCAA Division II as the latest rankings were released earlier today. The Mavericks dropped one spot from last week in the latest Wrestling Coaches Association poll after dropping their first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference dual this past week.

The Mavericks totaled 98 points as they remain one of five NSIC schools who are ranked in the top 20. Other ranked schools in the NSIC include Augustana (No. 2), St. Cloud State (No. 3), Upper Iowa (No. 11), and Minnesota State Moorhead (No. 20).

While dropping one spot in the team rankings, the Mavericks now possess four wrestlers who are ranked in their respective individual weight classes.

Senior Andy Forstner (No. 4, 125-lbs) dropped two spots in the latest rankings after going 1-1 this past week including a loss to No. 2 Trevor Franklin from Upper Iowa.

Jumping two spots in this weeks ranking is senior Ben Becker (No. 6, 174-lbs) who went 2-0 this past week and has won eight of his last nine matches including a current streak of five in a row.

Junior Aaron Norgren is now the sixth-ranked wrestler in the 184-lb weight class after earning two wins by major decision this past week. Norgren holds a 19-8 overall record this season including a 10-1 dual record. Norgren has also won nine of his last ten matches including a current streak of three in a row.

Entering the ranks for the first time this season is junior Pat Mahan who is now ranked No. 7 in the 197-lb weight class. Despite dropping a match last week against No. 2 Ty Copsey (Augustana), Mahan has been on a tear winning five of his last six matches and holds a 5-3 record in dual matches.

The Mavericks (8-3, 4-1 NSIC) will be back in action this Friday as they host the No. 1 Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (7-1). The dual is the second-to-last home dual of the season for MSU and is slated to begin at 7:00 pm.

The top 20 poll, with points and the teams’ last ranking following by the top-eight rankings at each weight:

Rank School (State) Points Last Ranking
1. Nebraska-Omaha 158 1st
2. Augustana (S.D.) 150 2nd
3. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 148 3rd
4. Newberry (S.C.) 134 4th
5. Central Oklahoma 121 5th
6. Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.) 117 12th
7. Grand Canyon (Ariz.) 101 13th
8. Minnesota State 98 7th
9. Nebraska-Kearney 96 11th
10. North Carolina-Pembroke 92 6th
11. Upper Iowa 84 10th
12. Ashland (Ohio) 75 17th
13. Western State (Colo.) 64 9th
14. San Francisco State (Calif.) 53 8th
15. Findlay (Ohio) 48 15th
16. Gannon (Pa.) 44 14th
17. Adams State (Colo.) 31 18th
18. Wisconsin-Parkside 24 16th
19. Fort Hays State (Kan.) 20 19th
20. Minnesota State-Moorhead 13 20th

Others receiving votes: Central Missouri, Colorado State-Pueblo, Kutztown (Pa.) and Mercyhursrt (Pa.).

NCAA Division II Individual Rankings
125 Pounds
1. Russell Weakley, North Carolina-Pembroke
2. Trevor Franklin, Upper Iowa
3. Corey Ulmer, Minnesota State-Moorhead
4. Andy Forstner, Minnesota State
5. Kyle O’Brien, Western State (Colo.)
6. Josh Smith, Nebraska-Kearney
7. Jose Matos, Gannon (Pa.)
8. Connor McDonald, Newberry (S.C.)
133 Pounds
1. Kyle Pedretti, Upper Iowa
2. Todd Wilcox, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
3. Ryan Link, Pittsburgh-Johnstown
4. Michael Magaha, Limestone (S.C.)
5. Trison Graham, Central Oklahoma
6. Aldon Isenberg, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
7. Cody Zimmerman, Wisconsin-Parkside
8. Aaron Smith, American International (Mass.)
141 Pounds
1. Mario Morgan, Nebraska-Omaha
2. Naveed Bagheri, San Francisco State (Calif.)
3. Brady Schneeberger, Minnesota State-Moorhead
4. Jay Sherer, Augustana (S.D.)
5. Andre Harrison, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
6. Kenny Jordan, Adams State (Colo.)
7. Dalton Jensen, Nebraska-Kearney
8. Gabe Suarez, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
149 Pounds
1. Esai Dominguez, Nebraska-Omaha
2. T.J. Hepburn, Nebraska-Kearney
3. Nick Walpole, Indianapolis (Ind.)
4. Josh Hensley, Adams State (Colo.)
5. Matthew Thomas, San Francisco State (Calif.)
6. Nate Herda, Augustana (S.D.)
7. Jacob Horn, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
8. Mitchell Means, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
157 Pounds
1. George Ivanov, Nebraska-Omaha
2. John Sundgren, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
3. Marcus Edgington, Augustana (S.D.)
4. Seth Phalen, West Liberty (W.Va.)
5. Sean Byrnes, Newberry (S.C.)
6. Cory Dauphin, Central Oklahoma
7. Tallen Wald, Minnesota State-Moorhead
8. Teddy Bristol, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
165 Pounds
1. Mike Williams, North Carolina-Pembroke
2. Tad Merritt, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
3. Michael Lybarger, Findlay (Ohio)
4. Gavin Nelson, Augustana (S.D.)
5. Matt Gille, Wisconsin-Parkside
6. Joey Wilson, Nebraska-Kearney
7. Travis Budke, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
8. Derrick Adkins, Central Oklahoma
174 Pounds
1. Luke Rynish, Wisconsin-Parkside
2. Tony Petrella, Gannon (Pa.)
3. Ryan Pankoke, Nebraska-Omaha
4. Victor Carazo, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
5. Tim Darling, Kutztown (Pa.)
6. Ben Becker, Minnesota State
7. Carl Serck, Augustana (S.D.)
8. Shamus O’Grady, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
184 Pounds
1. Bryant Blanton, Newberry (S.C.)
2. Charlie Pipher, Western State (Colo.)
3. Aaron Denson, Nebraska-Omaha
4. Cale Cornemann, Northern State (S.D.)
5. A.J. Brentzel, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)
6. Aaron Norgren, Minnesota State
7. Ryan Becerra, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
8. Mitch Schultz, Upper Iowa
197 Pounds
1. Donovan McMahill, Western State (Colo.)
2. Ty Copsey, Augustana (S.D.)
3. Luke McPeek, Adams State (Colo.)
4. Matt Baker, Nebraska-Omaha
5. Jarrett Edison, Central Oklahoma
6. Lucas Munkelwitz, St. Cloud (Minn.)
7. Pat Mahan, Minnesota State
8. Carl Broghammer, Upper Iowa
285 Pounds
1. Jacob Kahnke, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
2. Matt Meuleners, Northern State (S.D.)
3. Charlie Alexander, Western State (Colo.)
4. Zach Rosol, Upper Iowa
5. Jacob Southwick, Ashland (Ohio)
6. Matt Clum, Findlay (Ohio)
7. Taylor Escamilla, Nebraska-Omaha
8. Brandon Hayes, Central Missouri

Augustana remains No. 2 in national poll

EDMOND, Okla. – Augustana retained its No. 2 ranking in the latest NCAA Division II wrestling rankings released Wednesday by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. The Vikings accumulated 150 points and had six individuals ranked.

Nebraska-Omaha held on to the No. 1 position, earning 158 points and eight first-place votes. The Mavericks have held the top spot all season. St. Cloud State received the other two first-place votes and 148 points to be ranked third.

Augustana defeated St. Cloud State 18-13 and Minnesota State 21-10 last week.

Ty Copsey collected the highest individual ranking for the Vikings, checking in at No. 2 at 197 pounds.

Marcus Edgington was No. 3 at 157 pounds, while Jay Sherer and Gavin Nelson were No. 4 at 141 and 165 pounds, respectively.

Nate Herda took the No. 6 spot at 149 pounds, and Carl Serck was No. 7 at 174 pounds.

Augustana (11-1, 5-0 NSIC) will face a non-conference and conference opponent on the road this week, traveling to Dakota Wesleyan (1-4) tonight and Southwest Minnesota State (4-2, 0-2 NSIC) on Friday. Both duals begin at 7 p.m.

The top 20 poll, with points and the teams’ last ranking following by the top-eight rankings at each weight:

Rank School (State) Points Last Ranking
1. Nebraska-Omaha 158 1st
2. Augustana (S.D.) 150 2nd
3. St. Cloud State (Minn.) 148 3rd
4. Newberry (S.C.) 134 4th
5. Central Oklahoma 121 5th
6. Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.) 117 12th
7. Grand Canyon (Ariz.) 101 13th
8. Minnesota State 98 7th
9. Nebraska-Kearney 96 11th
10. North Carolina-Pembroke 92 6th
11. Upper Iowa 84 10th
12. Ashland (Ohio) 75 17th
13. Western State (Colo.) 64 9th
14. San Francisco State (Calif.) 53 8th
15. Findlay (Ohio) 48 15th
16. Gannon (Pa.) 44 14th
17. Adams State (Colo.) 31 18th
18. Wisconsin-Parkside 24 16th
19. Fort Hays State (Kan.) 20 19th
20. Minnesota State-Moorhead 13 20th

Others receiving votes: Central Missouri, Colorado State-Pueblo, Kutztown (Pa.) and Mercyhursrt (Pa.).

NCAA Division II Individual Rankings
125 Pounds
1. Russell Weakley, North Carolina-Pembroke
2. Trevor Franklin, Upper Iowa
3. Corey Ulmer, Minnesota State-Moorhead
4. Andy Forstner, Minnesota State
5. Kyle O’Brien, Western State (Colo.)
6. Josh Smith, Nebraska-Kearney
7. Jose Matos, Gannon (Pa.)
8. Connor McDonald, Newberry (S.C.)
133 Pounds
1. Kyle Pedretti, Upper Iowa
2. Todd Wilcox, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
3. Ryan Link, Pittsburgh-Johnstown
4. Michael Magaha, Limestone (S.C.)
5. Trison Graham, Central Oklahoma
6. Aldon Isenberg, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
7. Cody Zimmerman, Wisconsin-Parkside
8. Aaron Smith, American International (Mass.)
141 Pounds
1. Mario Morgan, Nebraska-Omaha
2. Naveed Bagheri, San Francisco State (Calif.)
3. Brady Schneeberger, Minnesota State-Moorhead
4. Jay Sherer, Augustana (S.D.)
5. Andre Harrison, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
6. Kenny Jordan, Adams State (Colo.)
7. Dalton Jensen, Nebraska-Kearney
8. Gabe Suarez, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
149 Pounds
1. Esai Dominguez, Nebraska-Omaha
2. T.J. Hepburn, Nebraska-Kearney
3. Nick Walpole, Indianapolis (Ind.)
4. Josh Hensley, Adams State (Colo.)
5. Matthew Thomas, San Francisco State (Calif.)
6. Nate Herda, Augustana (S.D.)
7. Jacob Horn, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
8. Mitchell Means, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
157 Pounds
1. George Ivanov, Nebraska-Omaha
2. John Sundgren, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
3. Marcus Edgington, Augustana (S.D.)
4. Seth Phalen, West Liberty (W.Va.)
5. Sean Byrnes, Newberry (S.C.)
6. Cory Dauphin, Central Oklahoma
7. Tallen Wald, Minnesota State-Moorhead
8. Teddy Bristol, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
165 Pounds
1. Mike Williams, North Carolina-Pembroke
2. Tad Merritt, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
3. Michael Lybarger, Findlay (Ohio)
4. Gavin Nelson, Augustana (S.D.)
5. Matt Gille, Wisconsin-Parkside
6. Joey Wilson, Nebraska-Kearney
7. Travis Budke, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
8. Derrick Adkins, Central Oklahoma
174 Pounds
1. Luke Rynish, Wisconsin-Parkside
2. Tony Petrella, Gannon (Pa.)
3. Ryan Pankoke, Nebraska-Omaha
4. Victor Carazo, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
5. Tim Darling, Kutztown (Pa.)
6. Ben Becker, Minnesota State
7. Carl Serck, Augustana (S.D.)
8. Shamus O’Grady, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
184 Pounds
1. Bryant Blanton, Newberry (S.C.)
2. Charlie Pipher, Western State (Colo.)
3. Aaron Denson, Nebraska-Omaha
4. Cale Cornemann, Northern State (S.D.)
5. A.J. Brentzel, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)
6. Aaron Norgren, Minnesota State
7. Ryan Becerra, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
8. Mitch Schultz, Upper Iowa
197 Pounds
1. Donovan McMahill, Western State (Colo.)
2. Ty Copsey, Augustana (S.D.)
3. Luke McPeek, Adams State (Colo.)
4. Matt Baker, Nebraska-Omaha
5. Jarrett Edison, Central Oklahoma
6. Lucas Munkelwitz, St. Cloud (Minn.)
7. Pat Mahan, Minnesota State
8. Carl Broghammer, Upper Iowa
285 Pounds
1. Jacob Kahnke, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
2. Matt Meuleners, Northern State (S.D.)
3. Charlie Alexander, Western State (Colo.)
4. Zach Rosol, Upper Iowa
5. Jacob Southwick, Ashland (Ohio)
6. Matt Clum, Findlay (Ohio)
7. Taylor Escamilla, Nebraska-Omaha
8. Brandon Hayes, Central Missouri

Gophers Head to Columbus for Big Ten Dual

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota returns to action this Saturday with its final road dual of the year, taking on Ohio State at 6 p.m. CST in Columbus.

Minnesota (13-3 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) looks to remain perfect in conference competition and continue its five-dual winning streak this Saturday against the unranked Buckeyes. The Gophers are 37-12-3 all-time against Ohio State, which enters the weekend on a two-dual losing streak and hosts Indiana on Friday night. The Buckeyes (2-7-0, 1-3-0) dropped duals to No. 2 Iowa and No. 13 Michigan last weekend and currently sit in a three-way tie for seventh in the conference. Minnesota sits tied for first in the Big Ten with the Hawkeyes and Wolverines.

Follow the Action
Can’t make it to Columbus to watch the Gophers up close and in person? The Big Ten Network will broadcast the dual live on Saturday night — the first of three-straight Minnesota duals broadcast by the network along with Penn State and Iowa. You can also follow live stats online atnwcaonline.com.

Get Score Updates on Your Phone
Fans can get scoring updates from all of Golden Gopher athletics through the Twitter pages @GopherScores and @GopherWrestling. Just find and follow the selected Twitter accounts, then set up your phone or mobile device to receive the text updates. If you are not already on Twitter, you will need to create an account.

Follow the Gophers
Want exclusive, up-to-the-minute access to Golden Gopher Wrestling? Follow the team online at twitter.com/gopherwrestling andfacebook.com/gopherwrestling for news, results and other exclusive content.

Next Up
With the road schedule complete, Minnesota returns home to take on No. 3 Penn State and No. 2 Iowa on successive weekends. The Gophers host the Nittany Lions, who dropped a shocker to Iowa last Sunday for the team’s only loss of the year, next Sunday at 2 p.m. before hosting the Hawkeyes — the nation’s only unbeaten team — the next Sunday. Both games will be shown on the Big Ten Network on tape delay.

Last Time Out
Minnesota picked up its fourth-straight win over a ranked opponent last Sunday when the Gophers took down then No. 3 Wisconsin 21-15 in a battle of top-five teams.

The Gophers opened the dual with wins in three of the first four matches. No. 5 Zach Sanders scored a decision win at 125 lbs over Tom Kelliher before No. 3 Tyler Graff snagged a decision over David Thorn at 133 lbs. Minnesota jumped out to a 10-point lead over the next two matches though when No. 2 Mike Thorn scored a fall at 141 lbs., and Danny Zilverberg notched a 12-3 major decision at 149 lbs.

The Badgers would cut into the lead with a decision at 157 lbs., but No. 11 Cody Yohn would tally a five-point technical fall over Ben Cox at 165 lbs before Wisconsin mounted a near comeback with three-straight decision victories to set up an opportunity to tie the dual in the heavyweight match.

Wisconsin’s No. 11 Eric Bugenhagen scored the match’s first point with a second period escape but Ben Berhow — standing in for Tony Nelson for the Gophers — added an escape to start the third period and followed up with the match’s only takedown with just seconds left to pick up the eventual 3-2 win — upsetting Bugenhagen and giving Minnesota the 21-15 win at home.

Match of the Meet
Each and every Gopher wrestling match is full of excitement and entertainment but this weekend one bout stands out among the rest. Saturday’s dual against Ohio State will feature two of the top 165 lbs. wrestlers in the country in Cody Yohn and Colt Sponseller. Yohn, ranked No. 11 in the nation at 165 lbs. by Intermat, has not faced Sponseller in his career. Sponseller is ranked No. 7 in the country.

Robinson Celebrates 25 Years
The University of Minnesota will honor head wrestling coach J Robinson for his 25 years of service to the program during the Gophers’ dual against Iowa next month. Robinson has brought the program to a new level during his tenure including coaching the Gophers to the first three NCAA titles in school history (2001, 2002, 2007).

Familiar Foes Reunite As Dragons And Cobbers Meet Again

MOORHEAD, Minn. – The No. 20 ranked Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons wrestling team returns to Moorhead but will remain on the road, facing off against cross-town rival Concordia College, ranked No. 7 in the latest NCAA Division-III standings. The two teams will tangle for the 60th time in the two school’s history on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

The No. 20 Dragons lead the all-time series 44-15, including last years dual that saw a big Dragon lead nearly slip away. Nearly a year ago today, the Dragons met up with the perennial D-III power that was ranked seventh in the nation at the time. The rankings will not be the only familiarity between the two duals.

A familiar foe
The Dragons, much like this year, received catalytic boosts from both heavyweight and 125-pound matches. Former heavyweight Tim Johnsonpinned the Cobbers’ Nick Nadeau and current 125-pounder Corey Ulmer followed that up with a 5-3 decision of Ben Presler. Ulmer, much like Wednesday night’s dual, came in leading the team in wins.

The Dragons have four returning starters from that dual who picked up wins, including Ulmer, 141-pounder Brady Schneeberger, 157-pounderTallen Wald and 165-pounder Tyler Kivel. All of the Dragons’ victims that night are returning for the Cobbers including Ben Presler (125), Ben Anderson (141), Kevin Fynboh (157), Joe Meinert (165), Ross Dankers (174) and Nick Nadeau (285).

This season for the Cobbers
The Cobbers come in with an undefeated record of 6-0, largely wrestling in open tournaments thus far this season. Wednesday night marks the second and last home dual of the season for the Cobbers, who defeated Ridgewater Community College 26-16 on Jan. 12. The Cobbers do enter the dual with last year’s NCAA Division-III national champion Phil Moenkedick (184 pounds).

This season for the Dragons
The Dragons have been exchanging wins and losses so far this season, entering Wednesday’s dual with a 4-6 record. In those 10 duals, eight have come against top-15 ranked opponents. The Dragons have won three of their four matches by a combined 113-19. The only close win for the Dragons came against No. 10 ranked Grand Canyon University (Ariz.) 18-16.

Three keys in the dual
Ulmer’s hot streak
The Dragons are lead in wins by redshirt junior Corey Ulmer who has posted a 17-4 record at 125 pounds this season. Ulmer has won 12 of his last 13 matches after losing a narrow decision to No. 3 ranked Trevor Franklin of Upper Iowa in the gold division championship match at the Augsburg Open. Just 15 days after falling to No. 1 Russell Weakley of North Carolina-Pembroke 4-5, Ulmer knocked off No. 2 Andy Forstner of Minnesota State Mankato by an 8-0 major decision.

Swart’s new class
Last season, Jon Swart had his struggles at 197-pounds, going 3-15 on the year. But a move up to heavyweight has given Swart a chance to become stronger and more focused on wrestling, instead of trying to keep down weight. This has resulted in an 11-8 turn around for the Fargo, N.D. native. Swart has won nine of his last 12 matches, nearly upsetting No. 1 ranked Jake Kahnke of St. Cloud State on Sunday.

The one big match
In last year’s dual, it was Tim Johnson’s pin that made the biggest impact on the Dragons 22-18 win over Concordia. This year’s dual is expected to be close once again and head coach Kris Nelson expects another big match to determine this year’s dual.

“I think it may come down to us getting either a pin or a couple big wins,” Nelson said. “I’m not sure where the big win might come from but we got a couple of guys who can do it.”

The big win may come from either 141-pounder Brady Schneeberger or 174-pounder Trent Sovde, both game day decisions after both were inactive for the Dragons last dual.

The dual is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. inside the Memorial Auditorium on the Concordia Cobber campus.

For live video: Click Here
For live stats: Click Here

Possible starters for Wednesday’s dual
125 – No. 6 Corey Ulmer (17-4)
133 – Evan Forde (11-10)
141 – No. 3 Brady Schneeberger (9-8) or Connor MacGregor (5-4)
149 – Tyler Steinwand (8-11)
157 – Tallen Wald (13-7)
165 – Tyler Kivel (6-5)
174 – Trent Sovde (12-7) or Jacob Bennett (11-12 at 165, 0-1 @ 174)
184 – Jacob McLean (2-7)
197 – Brian Woelfel (6-11)
285 – Jon Swart (11-8)

Augsburg Wrestling “Reunion of Ones” set for Friday

MINNEAPOLIS — The Augsburg College wrestling program will celebrate the history of three championship teams with a reunion celebration on Friday, Feb. 4 as a part of the team’s dual with Wartburg College at Si Melby Hall.

Dubbed the “Reunion of Ones,” the Auggies will celebrate the 1961 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship team — Augsburg’s first of its 30 MIAC team championships — and its 1991 and 2001 NCAA Division III national championship squads prior to the Auggies’ dual meet with Wartburg on Feb. 4.

A social hour will be held at 5 p.m., with individual team reunions starting at 6 p.m. The three teams will come together to be honored at 6:45 p.m., in the Kennedy Center.

The Augsburg-Wartburg match will begin at 7:30 p.m., with the three championship teams honored on the mat during intermission (after the fifth bout of the evening). A post-match social will be held at Sgt. Preston’s in the Seven Corners area of Minneapolis.

In addition to the Augsburg-Wartburg match, there will also be a high school dual meet between Coon Rapids and Albert Lea that will begin at 5 p.m. at Si Melby Hall.

For more information on the reunion, contact Augsburg head coach Mark Matzek at 612-330-1116 or at matzek@augsburg.edu.

Mustangs Welcome Two Ranked Opponents in NSIC Duals

MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University wrestling team will put an end to its four-match homestand this weekend hosting two ranked opponents in No. 2 Augustana College and No. 20 Minnesota State University Moorhead. The Mustangs will dual the Vikings at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4 before welcoming the Dragons at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Follow us live: All NSIC wrestling matches are video broadcast live free of charge by New Media TV. Log onto www.northernsun.org/live.cfmto learn more and to watch the Mustangs when they are on the road! Or go to www.smsumustangs.com and click on the Live Video Webcasts tab on the right hand side of the page.

Veteran presence: CD Johnson (184 pounds) continues to roll picking up his 20th win of the season last Friday against Upper Iowa’s Mark Mueller. Johnson earned a 10-2 major decision over Mueller. Before the dual with Upper Iowa the Mustangs squared off with No. 3 St. Cloud State where Johnson earned a 15-0 technical fall over No. 5 Mic Berg. The senior stretched his season record to 20-11 on the season.

Rodas rules: Junior Brian Rodas (285 pounds) earned his fourth consecutive victory of the season—third by fall—when he pinned Upper Iowa’s Arron Cramer 35 seconds into the bout last Friday night. Roads’ only other bout of the season was a 5-1 decision over St. Cloud State’s Chris Brassell.

The reign of Reinsma: Redshirt freshman Justin Reinsma (133 pounds) enters the weekend with a 20-9 record. Reinsma is coming off two losses, his last coming against Kyle Pedretti of Upper Iowa who is ranked second at 133 pounds in the NCAA. Reinsma has recorded seven pins on the season to go along with one technical fall, two major decisions and 10 decisions.

Vikings at a glance: Augustana College enters the weekend ranked No. 2 in the NWCA Top 25 Poll and atop the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference standings with an overall record of 11-0, and 5-0 in conference play. The Vikings have won five straight duals since losing to then No. 1 ranked Nebraska-Omaha on Jan. 9.

Augustana has six wrestlers ranked individually in the NWCA poll. Jay Sherer is ranked No. 4 at 141 pounds, Nate Herda, eighth at 149 pounds, Marcus Edingtion, second at 157 pounds, Gavin Nelson, sixth at 165 pounds, Carl Serck, sixth at 174 pounds and Ty Copsey, second at 197 pounds, all ranked in the top eight of their weight class in the latest edition of the NWCA coaches poll.

Results vs. the Vikings: The Mustangs and the Vikings first met during the 1982-83 season. Augustana currently leads the all-time series 21-4. The Mustangs have lost 10 straight duals against Augustana.

Dragons at a glance: MSU Moorhead, ranked No. 20 in the country enters the weekend with an overall record of 4-6. The Dragons are 1-3 in conference duals this season. MSU Moorhead will play host to border rival Concordia Moorhead tonight in a non-conference dual. The Dragons have two individuals ranked in the top eight in their particular weight classes. Corey Ulmer is ranked sixth at 125 pounds and Brady Schneeberger is ranked third at 141 pounds.

Results vs. the Dragons: Southwest Minnesota State owns a 24-17 all-time record against MSU Moorhead. The two teams first met during the 1983-84 season. The Mustangs have lost nine straight duals to the Dragons. Last season, the Dragons defeated SMSU 32-6 in a dual in Moorhead.

Mustang lineup:

Wt.     Wrestler
125     Travis Borchert
133     Justin Reinsma
141     Ethan Hildebrandt
149     Demond Carter or Kyle Anderson
157     Casey Field
165     William Fate or Logan McAlpin
174     Zach Coates
184     CD Johnson
197     Martin Hagen
285     Brian Rodas

Last time out: No. 10 Upper Iowa University won three out of 10 bouts tonight at the PE Gym to defeat Southwest Minnesota State University 24-13 in an NSIC dual in Marshall. The Peacocks improve to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the NSIC while SMSU falls to 4-2-1 and 0-2 in the NSIC.

SMSU’s Ethan Hildebrandt (141 pounds) almost had a pin early in the first period against Upper Iowa’s Victor Coronado earning three points with a nearfall. Hildebrandt led 5-0 heading into the second period. He went on to pick up a 6-1 decision improving his record to 15-7 on the season.

CD Johnson stretched his season record to 20-11 earning a 10-2 major decision over No. 5 Mark Mueller in the 184-pound bout. Martin Hagen followed that bout at 197 pounds and fell in a 9-3 decision to Carl Broghammer, which stretched the Peacocks lead to 24-7.

Brian Rodas made quick work of Arron Cramer at the 285-pound weight class. Rodas pinned Cramer just 35 seconds into the first period. Upper Iowa would go on to win the dual 24-13.