Contact | Subscribe | Advertise | Links | Youth | H.S. | College | Club | News/General
Mon, 11 Feb 2002
Marshall, MN - Sophomore Dante Lewis (Omaha, NE) won his second consecutive conference title at the NSIC Wrestling Championships in Marshall, MN on Sunday, February 10th at Southwest State University. Lewis who is undefeated in NSIC competition has posted a perfect 14-0 record over two seasons.
After receiving a first round bye in the 125 pound weight class, Lewis faced Northern State's Chris Feldhaus. Lewis scored a takedown and a quick takedown, pulled Feldhaus back on the mat and scored a three point nearfall. When it was apparent that Lewis was not going to be able to gain the fall, Lewis let Feldhaus go. Immediately Lewis once again scored a takedown and a nearfall, then pinned Feldhaus in 2:36 to secure the victory.
In the finals, Lewis faced Mark Twardy of Minnesota State-Moorhead. Lewis defeated Twardy on January 22, in a conference dual meet in Moorhead by a 14-6 major decision. This time Lewis built a first period lead of 9-1 on the strength of two takedowns and two nearfalls. The only scoring in the second period was a takedown by Twardy. In the third period Lewis again scored on two takedowns and a nearfall to capture a 16-6 major decision and another NSIC title.
"Lewis might have looked his best all season - today," noted Coach Doug Reese. "Dante was peaking. His takedowns, and his mat wrestling was near perfection. Dante scored six takedown and five nearfalls, while only giving up one takedown. He won with a fall and a major decision, that is pretty dominate wrestling."
Freshman Todd Sanchez (Wichita, KS) claimed his first NSIC All-Conference honors with a second place finish at 141 pounds. Sanchez who wrestled most of the season at 133 pounds moved up to 141 after a "growth spurt" made it tough to make the 133 pound weight class. Sanchez opened the tournament with a fall versus Keefer Jensen of Southwest State. Jensen built a 4-2 lead off of two takedowns in the first period when Sanchez hit a takedown and took Jensen right to his back for the pin at 2:54.
In the finals, Sanchez wrestled a tough, scoreless first period versus three-time NSIC champion Scott Larson of Minnesota State - Moorhead. In the second period, Larson was able to apply the pressure and take Sanchez to his back for a fall at 3:33.
A "true second" match was necessary since Denny Grocott of Northern State won the consolation finals, and he hadn't had the opportunity to wrestle Sanchez. Sanchez and Grocott put up a heck of a battle. Grocott scored two takedowns and Sanchez followed with his own to end the first period 4-4. Sanchez escaped in the second period and Grocott was awarded a stalling point to keep the scored tied 5-5 at the end of two periods. In the final thirty seconds of the match, Sanchez scored a takedown off a 'shuck' to win the match 7-5.
Junior Joel Fugleberg (Roseau, MN) placed third at 149 pounds. Fugleberg lost his opening match to Danny Meyer of MS-Moorhead 9-5, then came back to defeat Jeremy Boogard of Southwest State with a fall in 6:53 after building up a 6-2 lead. In the consolation finals, Fugleberg defeated Josh Krueger of MS-Moorhead with a solid 6-1 decision to place third.
Jeremy Glende, a freshman (Faribault, MN) placed 4th at 157 pounds. Glende lost a hard fought match 3-1 to Josh Skogen of Southwest State. Glende advanced to the consolation finals with an injury default versus Ron Reszel of Northern State. In the consolation final with the score tied 2-2 versus Josh Skogen of Southwest State, Skogen and Glende butted head, and Glende fell to the mat unconscious with a concussion. Unable to finish the match, Glende placed fourth and was transported to the hospital for further observation.
Senior Jesse Cisneros (Lake Station, IN) placed fourth at 165 pounds. Cisneros wrestled a fine tournament. In the opening round, Cisneros defeated Spencer Dockery of Northern State University 16-7 for a major decision. Cisneros scored four takedowns, two nearfalls, and a reversal in the win. NSIC champion Luke Duffy then scored a 16-1 technical fall over Cisneros in the semifinals. In the consolation finals, Cisneros dropped a tough fought 5-2 decision to Bart Bartholomaus of Southwest State University to place fourth in the 165 pound weight class.
Freshman Greg Stephens (New Hope, MN) did not place at 174 pounds, but wrestled tough in losses to Ryan Gosch of Northern State 8-6, and to Cody Ranz of MS-Moorhead 12-7. Senior Jeff Steward (Chicago, IL) did not place a heavyweight. Stewart lost to Baron Blanchard of Northern State by fall in 4:12, and my decision to Mark Simmonds of Southwest State 7-3.
"All in all we wrestled pretty well," said head coach Doug Reese. "We had a good week of preparation and our last seven guys are health. We took a step forward this weekend. Now it is 'do or die' at the NCAA II Midwest Regionals. We have two weeks to get ready - and we will be ready. We have a big challenge in front of us, but we a few guys who can make it to Nationals - that is always our goal," said Reese.
The UM-Morris wrestling team will be headed to Aberdeen, South Dakota to compete in the NCAA II Regional Wrestling Championships on February 24th. Wrestling will begin at 10:00 am at the Barnett Center on the campus of Northern State University.