2001-02 College News - Dante Lewis Qualifies for NCAA II Nationals

Mon, 25 Feb 2002

Dante Lewis Qualifies for NCAA II Nationals

Aberdeen, SD - University of Minnesota-Morris sophomore Dante Lewis (Omaha, NE) qualified for his second straight trip to the NCAA II National Wrestling Championships with a fourth place finish at 125 pounds in the NCAA II Midwest Regional Wrestling Championships. Lewis, the two-time NSIC Individual Wrestling champion posted a 3-2 record for the day in a very talented and challenging weight class.

Lewis, the number three seed in the tournament, dropped his opening match in the quarterfinals to Mark Twardy of Minnesota State - Moorhead. Lewis had defeated Twardy twice this season 14-6, and 16-6 in the NSIC Championship Finals. Twardy came out and controlled the match, frustrating Lewis and built a 2-1 lead going into the final period. Twardy escaped in the beginning of the third period, then counter a Lewis leg attack, scoring what appeared to be the winning takedown with about 30 seconds left in the match. Lewis in frustration gave up the pin a 6:30.

"This was a good lesson," noted Coach Doug Reese. "Dante was looking ahead to the semi-final match and overlooking Mark Twardy because he had won by major decisions twice this season over him. You can't count anyone out here. This is a do-or-die tournament to go to nationals. Every competitor has his sights on the national tournament."

Lewis was very disappointed. He had a hard time shaking off the loss, yet his dream was not yet spoiled, as the top four place finishers in the tournament advance to Nationals. In the consolation quarterfinals, Lewis faced a very tough opponent is Antwan Allen of Carson-Newman College (TN). After a scoreless first period, Lewis escaped at the beginning of the second period to gain a 1-0 advantage. Lewis was on the attack for the entire match, forcing Allen in to a stalling situation twice in the second period to have a 2-0 lead. Allen escaped in the third period to make the score 2-1, but Lewis kept attacking forcing Allen into a defensive mode. Lewis pulled out a solid 2-1 victory to advance to the consolation semi-finals.

In the consolation semi-finals, Lewis faced Joey Charles of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. After a scoreless first period, Lewis scored a reversal in the second period, then Charles followed with an escape to make the score 2-1. In the third period Charles posted an escape to tie the score at 2-2. Lewis was relentless on the attack, but was unable to score the winning takedown. The match went to overtime. Again Lewis tried his best to end the match, but was unable to finish his leg attacks on Charles. Lewis was awarded choice in double over-time and picked the down position. Lewis could win the match if he could score in the final 30 seconds. Charles a sound "rider" took control and tied up Lewis for a 2-2 "sudden victory" decision.

All was not lost at this point. A major upset was taking place on the next mat, where Grant Strickland of Truman State (MO) was defeating Mark Twardy of MSU-Moorhead. A Strickland win meant Lewis was still alive in the tournament. Now two more things had to happen - first Lewis had to come back in the fifth/sixth place match with a win over Mark Twardy, and then Grant Strickland of Truman State had to lose in the consolation finals to Joey Charles of UW-Parkside.

In the fifth/sixth place match, Lewis had his focus back versus Mark Twardy of MSU-Moorhead and controlled the match with his primary style of motion and swift attack. Twardy took a 2-0 lead on a scramble; Lewis escaped, then scored on a double leg takedown for a 3-2 lead after one period. In the second period, Lewis escaped for a 4-2 lead. A lot of action, flurries and attack took place, but no wrestler could finish an attack with a score. In the third period, Twardy escaped to make the match 4-3. Lewis continued to attack to keep Twardy off balance and on the defensive until time ran out. On mat "two", Charles was defeated Strickland 6-2. The Strickland loss forced a "true-forth" match between Strickland and Lewis. The winner would go on to nationals, and the loser would have his season over. Lewis had defeated Strickland in this exact situation last season, and had defeated Strickland on January 12th, 12-2 in the Central Iowa Invitational. In this do-or-die situation for the forth time this day, Lewis lived up to the challenge.

Lewis opened the scoring with a takedown, Strickland escaped, then Lewis scored again on a single-leg takedown. Lewis built up over two minutes of riding time, then Strickland escaped. Leading 4-2, Strickland escaped in the second period to cut the lead to 4-3. In the final period, Lewis escaped, then took down Strickland to build a 7-3 lead. Strickland scored on a reversal, but couldn't turn Lewis for "back" points. Lewis escaped and won the match 9-5 with riding time to advance to the national tournament. "I told Dante I was very proud of him," said Coach Reese. "It took a true champion to overcome a lot of adversity and challenges throughout the day. It took a heck of a lot of character and mental toughness to fight through a tough loss in overtime and secure a couple of close one-point wins. But sometimes to reach your goals and dreams that's what you have to do. Going to nationals is not suppose to be easy. We were definitely blessed today," noted Reese.

The Cougars were less than full-strength going into Regionals, down to just four wrestler. Freshman All-NSIC Wrestler Todd Sanchez (Wichita, KS) competed at 141, senior Jesse Cisneros (Lake Station, IN) at 165, and freshman Greg Stephens (New Hope, MN) at 174 pounds. Lost to season ending injuries following the NSIC tournament were junior Joel Fugleberg (149), senior Jeff Stewart (HWT), and freshman Jeremy Glende (157). Not only that, season ending injuries have claimed starters Darin Mathis (133), Jeremy Benson (157), Jarett Curtis (149/157), and Eric Steinhoff (184). "We have had a career full of injuries in just two months," commented Reese. "Injuries hit everybody at one time or another. I am just proud how our guys fought hard all season. That is what it is all about, it is in adversity that champions are built - all my guys are champions." The NCAA II Champions will be held on March 8-9 at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, WI. Wrestling begins on Friday at 11:00 am and continues through Saturday evening with the finals at 7:30 pm.