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Three prep stars who have signed letters of intent to wrestle for the Blue Hawks, have been recognized for their athletic accomplishments by Wrestling USA Magazine.
David Lau (160 lb.) of Flathead High School in Kalispell, Mont., Isaac Romero (112 lb.), of Sunnyside High School in Sunnyside, Wash., and Colton Zier (145 lb.) of Riverside High School in Basin, Wyo., were named to the magazine’s All-America Team.
Lau was the Montana state champion in his senior season and he was a state finalist in his junior year. Romero was a three-time state-finalist and was the Washington State champion in his senior season for the Grizzlies. He compiled a 162-10 prep record. Zier competed four times at the state tournament and he was a Wyoming State finalist each year, winning the state title his last three seasons.
The Dickinson State University wrestling program is coming off its two best finishes in school history--the Blue Hawks finished 3rd at the NAIA National Tournament in both 2007 and 2008. In the last 13 years under Coach O’Donnell’s tutelage, DSU has had 12 Top-10 national finishers, 48 All-Americans, seven finalists and five national champions. Dickinson State Takes 3rd Place at NAIA National Tournament; Schlecht Wins Again
Story from NAIA Web Page: Click Here
Sports Illustrated Faces in The Crowd: 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. |
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