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Story from NAIA Web Page: Click Here
The Blue Hawks’ NAIA #1 ranked Justin Schlecht (197) won his third straight national title, pinning McKendree freshman Andrew Sanchez in 4:06 Saturday night in Sioux City, Iowa. Schlecht was named the meet's outstanding wrestler and also the National Wrestling Coaches Association NAIA wrestler of the year. "I think of it as one year at a time," said the sculpted art education major. "Winning three times feels great, but you have a new approach every year."
Schlecht leaves a career at DSU in which he pinned his opponents 69 times in a 140-22 overall record. He was 17-1 at the national tournament with 13 pins. "It has been a great experience--lots of fun with a great bunch of guys," added Schlecht.
In the championship bout at 165 pounds, Robert Davis of Menlo defeated Stanton Schlecht, 10-3, thereby preventing a history-making evening because of Justin’s championship later in the evening.
Dickinson State finished in third place in the team standings for the second year in a row. Lindenwood University won the title with 130 points. McKendree was second (109.5), followed by DSU’s 107.5 points. Great Falls, Mont., was fourth (101) and Dana College fifth (91.5).
Head Coach Thadd O’Donnell was very pleased with his team’s achievements, stating “The first day was tough for us—this is the national tournament so there are no slouches. We could have shut down, but the team showed a lot of heart to compete at the level they did.” Coach O’Donnell
The Blue Hawks had six All-Americans: Cory Johnston (125, 4th), Eli Zuniga (133, 8th), Stanton Schlecht (165, 2nd), Justin Schlecht (197, Champion), Matt Michaelson (197, 4th) and Karter Kleeman (285, 4th). DSU added Colt Goff to its list of high achievers as he earned NAIA Academic All-American status. Goff stated, "it is an honor to be acknowledged for the things outside of the wrestling room that promote the sport.” He knows hard work is required, but that thanks must be extended to, “my family and friends for their unwavering support.”
The big-meet experience of a seasoned veteran such as Johnston really paid dividends for the Hawks. He, like the rest of the team, knew their opening day was not up to DSU standards, but he also felt that the sun would rise on day 2, and that it they had a fresh opportunity. “This team showed unbelievable heart, but that’s what we have done all year,” shared Johnston. “I will always remember this tournament—I didn’t take off my singlet until I had to just before the banquet. Some of the younger guys, especially Michaelson and Owen were truly inspirational for the rest of us.” Johnston also believes that he started to wrestle better once he clinched All-American status, even though he sustained a cut over his eye. “It was easier to enjoy the moment and just go bout-by-bout. Next year’s team will have championship character and they can build on that; they should settle for nothing less.”
The always glib Stanton Schlecht related his feelings about the tournament. “We didn’t wrestle to our full potential the first day, but we kept fighting. We weren’t going to make excuses and we showed our character by how well we wrestled the next day.” On a personal level, Stan believes that, “with the way the tournament ended, I think for myself and the rest of the guys we are hungry for next year.” Matt Michaelson echoed the younger Schlecht's feelings regarding next year. "We are losing some major points with our seniors (Kleeman, Justin Schlecht, Jake Toavs and Johnston), but we still have three All-Americans returning."
Michaelson's title hopes were derailed by Sanchez in an exhausting, 11-minute quarterfinal bout. Michealson said that his opponent "wrestled well--better than I did, and that was hard to come back from." Still, the two-time state champion from Dickinson HS likes the 197-lb class better than his previous 184-lb division. "It's obvious that with Schlecht, the 197-lb class was very tough this year, but they all are. But the bigger, 197-pound guys fit my style better." It sure looks that way Matt, but make no mistake, this returning All-American will be a major force at any weight class. Blue Hawks Take Region, Toavs Most Outstanding
-Courtesy Dana College
Dickinson State used five individual titles and two runner-ups to outdistance Morningside College in the team race. The Blue Hawks totaled 174 team points compared to 111 by the second place Chargers. 184 pound Jeremiah Toavs was named the meet's Outstanding Wrestler and DSU coach Thadd O’Donnell was the region’s Coach of the Year.
Top rated Cory Johnston of Dickinson State won the 125 pound weight class with a 6-2 decision over Jarrod Wiens of Hastings. Burke Barnes of Dana College defeated Eli Zuniga of Dickinson State 5-4 in the finals of the 133 pound weight class. The meet's first upset happened at 141 pounds. Fifth seeded Nathan Schweitzer of Dickinson State turned away top-seeded Adam Manz in the semifinals 4-2 in overtime. Then he won his second overtime match in the finals (4-2) over third-seed Zach Halcumb of Jamestown.
Northwestern’s Levi Price defeated Hastings Andrew Hare 2-1 in the finals at 149 pounds. Jason Bilinski of Dana defeated DJ Jackson of Northwestern 5-4 in the finals of 157 pounds. DSU’s Stanton Schlecht defeated Dana’s Ryan Tuzon 9-4 in the finals of 165 pounds. Top seeded Enock Francois of Northwestern defeated second seed and teammate Tom Eaton 7-4 in the finals of the 174 pound weight class. Second seed Jeremiah Toavs upset defending national champion Morningside’s Jake Stevenson 4-2 at 184 pounds. Justin Schlecht of DSU won the 197 pound weight class by a forfeit over teammate Matt Michaelson. Third seeded Wade Jordan of Dana came away with the 285 pound championship with a 5-3 overtime win over Hastings’s Cody Millard.
The NAIA National Wrestling Tournament will be hosted in Sioux City, Iowa at the Tyson Events Center for the last time March 6, 7 and 8. Brackets will be available later in the month. University of Great Falls Upset by Dickinson State, 28-11
The NAIA #4 Dickinson State Blue Hawks defeated the University of Great Falls Argonauts tonight at Scott Gym, 28-11. DSU celebrated “Senior Night” in one of the best ways imaginable—by winning seven of the ten matches and knocking off a higher ranked team.
In the night’s sixth match, Ryan Smith (174) lost to Brett Owen by default due to injury. The loss seemed to drain the Argos. Smith is the #6 rated wrestler in this weight class and it is hopeful that the senior from Arlee, Mont., is not seriously hurt. He was ahead in the match and the points he would have earned became a critical loss to UGF, but make no mistake about it, the Hawks came to wrestle.
Senior Cory Johnston (125) opened the action by edging Forrest Bouge, 3-1. The match was a marathon of sorts with both athletes neutralizing their opponents’ cat-like quickness with even quicker maneuvers of their own. They wrestled beyond the regulation seven minutes and into overtime. The three team points that Johnston earned for DSU came in the third extra period and it was an aggressive, and yes quick move, that Bouge was unable to answer before the decisive two-point takedown was awarded.
Eli Zuniga (133) was in another tight match. Like Johnston, he wrestled into extra time. His opponent--Jason Harrington--was equal to the task. Equal at least until Zuniga’s skilled and rapid rush caught Harrington by surprise. Zuniga’s takedown however was so dramatic that he was properly allowed to try to pin his foe. Indeed, the six points were earned as Harrington’s shoulders were controlled and the exuberant Zuniga openly enjoyed his win by fall. The Hawks also had a 9-0 lead from these two matches that could have swung the other way.
Nate Schweitzer (141) kept the ball rolling for DSU though his match broke the pattern of tight matches going to overtime. A more standard 12-8 win was still much welcomed by the Blue Hawks. In the 149-lb bout, Matt Pridgeon was sensational. He was way behind in the match, losing badly to Ross Mosher, but Pridgeon never gave up. He is just returning to the line-up after a shoulder injury and one would expect that he would be at much less than 100%. Still, late in the match and way behind on the scoreboard, he cleverly caught Mosher in a vulnerable position and not only did Pridgeon avoid a major-decision against, he nearly slapped Mosher’s shoulders to the mat and totally turned the tables. The crowd rose excitedly as they quickly sensed Pridgeon’s big chance had Mosher in deep trouble. Pridgeon ultimately lost 11-6, but his opportunity-nearly-turned-good kept the fire burning that was ignited by Johnston and Zuniga’s earlier performances.
Wayne French (157) is the nation’s #1 wrestler and tonight Nick Zumwalt learned why. French took hold of Zumwalt and kept turning him and controlling him until he had a 16-0 lead and had earned a technical fall. In the next match however, Stanton Schlecht (165) reversed any momentum the Argonauts might have gained by defeating Wayne’s younger brother, Michael. Stanton probably knows as well as anyone about having an older brother who is excellent on the mat, but Stan is also quite good. He is wrestling at one class below what he did previously and this has certainly helped lead him to success.
Jake Toavs (184) couldn’t find the answers for his opponent, though Mike Kummer is the NAIA’s top wrestler in this class, so it is obvious that not many grapplers solve Kummer. Toavs hung in there though, and the Argos could only grab three team points from the 6-0 decision.
Matt Michaelson (197) and Alex Calvi are both looking up at Justin Schlecht in this weight class, but Schlecht would wrestle in the 285-lb division tonight, and so Michaelson and Calvi were free to test their skill. The team scoring was still in doubt as DSU’s lead was only 22-11, and thus it was possible if the Argos could register consecutive pins in the final two matches, then they would turn the team scoring around. Michaelson made sure it would not happen with a 4-2 win.
Schlecht topped Brad Fraser in the final bout for good measure, 9-4. Fraser is a fine wrestler however, and his #2 national rating should not be tarnished by this defeat to the two-time NAIA 197-lb national champion. Yes, Fraser is a good wrestler but he was not able to prove it, not on this mat, not on this night. |
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