2001-02 College News - 11/21/01 Minnesota Update

Minnesota Gophers Update

11/21/01

The Golden Gophers travel to River Falls, Wis., for the Northern Open this Friday, before hosting their first home dual meet of the season versus Boise State on Sunday, Nov. 25, at the Sports Pavilion at 2 p.m. The Northern Open will welcome the majority of the Minnesota roster, including the returning All-Americans. Wrestling begins at 9 a.m.

Meet Webcast: Minnesota's meet against Boise State will be webcast live on www.gophersports.com. Former Golden Gopher wrestlers Willy Short and Jesse Krebs will call the action from the Sports Pavilion. All of Minnesota's home dual meets will be aired live on the official Internet home of Golden Gopher athletics. Listeners can access the webcast by clicking on the Gameday section of the website.

Kid's Clinic: Prior to the Minnesota-BSU meet from noon to 1 p.m., the Golden Gophers will host a free kid's wrestling clinic on the mat at the Sports Pavilion. The event will be conducted by Minnesota wrestlers. Doors open at 11:45 a.m.

Last Year at the Northern Open: Nine Golden Gophers won titles and another 12 Maroon and Gold grapplers placed in the top eight at the Northern Open last year in River Falls, Wis. Winning individual crowns for Minnesota were Leroy Vega (125), Brett Lawrence (133), Chad Erikson (141), Jared Lawrence (149), Luke Becker and Nate Baker (157), Matt Kraft (174), Damion Hahn (184), Owen Elzen (197), and Garrett Lowney (HWT). Brad PIke took second at 165 pounds, losing to 2000 NCAA Champion Don Pritzlaff of Wisconsin 10-5 in the title match.

Last Year vs. the Broncos:
No. 2 Minnesota 22, No. 11 Boise St. 14
Friday, Jan. 12, 2001 at Boise, Idaho

157 - No. 3 Kirk White (BSU) dec. No. 5 Luke Becker (MINN), 2-1
165 - No. 3 Brad Pike (MINN) tech. fall Casey Eager (BSU), 4:55, 19-4
174 - Pat Owens (BSU) dec. No. 16 Matt Kraft (MINN), 6-3
184 - No. 4 Damion Hahn (MINN) maj. dec. No. 8 Cash Edwards (BSU), 12-4
197 - N o. 8 Rusty Cook (BSU) tech. fall Eli Ros s (MINN), 5:44, 22-7
Hwt - Bart Johnson (BSU) dec. Mike Flanagan (MINN), 3-1
125 - N o. 4 Le roy Vega (MINN) dec. No. 18 Ben Vombauer (BSU), 7-2
133 - No. 3 Brett Lawrence (MINN) maj. dec. Charlie Griggs (BSU), 15-6
141 - N o. 7 Chad Erikson (MINN) dec. Gabe Vigil (BSU), 6-1
149 - N o. 3 Jared Lawrence (MINN) dec. Collin Robertson (BSU), 12-5

The Series: Minnesota holds a 5-0 advantage over the Broncos, dating back to 1977. Last year, the Maroon and Gold downed BSU in Boise 22-14, winning the meet's final four matches to cruise to victory.

Gettin' the Rings: Minnesota celebrates its 2001 NCAA Championship at the Boise State meet as national champion rings and wa t ches will be presented to the 10 All- Americans in a halftime ceremony. The highly- sought after prizes were provided to the Golden Gophers as a gift from the NCAA.

Nine Golden Gophers Listed in AWN Rankings: Ninety percent of Minnesota's starting lineup is ranked in the top 20 in the nation, according to Amateur Wrestling News' pre season individual rankings, released Oct. 12. Leading the list for the Maroon and Gold are two grapplers tabbed as No. 2 in NCAA Division I - senior three-time All-American Leroy Vega at 125 pounds and senior All-American Owen Elzen at 197 pounds.

The remaining Golden Gophers ranked in the top 20 are: junior Ryan Lewis (5th, 133 pounds), senior Chad Erikson (6th, 141), junior Jared Lawrence (4th, 149), junior Luke Becker (3rd, 157), sophomore Jacob Volkmann (4th, 174), sophomore Damion Hahn (3rd, 184) and sophomore Garrett Lowney (3rd, Hwt.).