2002-03 College News - UM-Morris' Lewis wins Simpson College Invitational

UM-Morris' Lewis wins Simpson College Invitational

January 13, 2003

Indianola, IA - University of Minnesota-Morris junior Dante Lewis kept his undefeated streak alive and won his sixth consecutive tournament while claiming the Simpson College Invitational title on Saturday, January 11th in Indianola, IA.

Lewis wrestled for the cycle scoring a decision, a major decision, a technical fall, and a fall while upping his record to 21-0 this season.

Lewis the number one seed in the tournament scored a 16-7 major decision over Nathan Ballard of Waldorf College. Lewis scored seven takedowns and a nearfall on his way to the victory. In the quarterfinals, Lewis won a 20-3 technical fall over Ari Crystal of Williams College (MA). Lewis dominated Crystal scoring five takedowns and three nearfalls.

In the semifinals Lewis faced a tough Justin McClintock of Wartburg College. Lewis built a solid 4-2 lead on two first period takedowns. In the third period McClintock took the lead with an escape and a takedown. Lewis came back late in the final period with a locked hands call versus McClintock and a escape for a 6-5 victory.

In the finals, Lewis immediately took down Corey Kolina of Wartburg College and put Kolinda to his back and earned the fall at 1:28. The win was Lewis' 21st of the season and his sixth consecutive tournament championship.

"Dante is wrestling at a whole new level," said coach Doug Reese. "No one we have seen can match his speed and quickness. He is a dominating force right now," said Reese.

In recent Cougar wrestling history only Jim Salzeidler of Mobridge, SD has won more matches in a row than Lewis. Salzeidler had a run of 24 straight wins in the 1991-1992 season going into the NAIA National Championships. But nobody has won more consecutive individual championship titles than Lewis.

"We have had a lot of wrestlers like Matt Bisek, Kip Lynk, B.J. Friedrichs and Randy Rager who would place in every tournament, but they never approached the dominance that Lewis is now enjoying," said Reese.

Also recording wins, but not placing in the tournament were Jaime Compean at 133, Todd Sanchez at 141, Lucas Scharmer at 149, and Eric Steinhoff at 184 pounds.

Freshman Jaime Compean won a well wrestled match 4-2 over Paul Reedy of Wartburg College (IA). Compean scored two takedowns in the final period for the win.

Sophomore Todd Sanchez wrestled well all weekend, downed Jeff Albrecht of Olivet College (MI) with a 14-4 major decision. After a scoreless first period, Sanchez ripped off 12 straight points in the second period scoring two takedowns and seven nearfall points to build a strong lead.

Freshman Lucas Scharmer continues to wrestle extremely tough. In a first round consolation match versus Eric Brown of Olivet College (MI) Scharmer held off third period rally by Brown to win a 12-10 decision.

Senior co-captain Eric Steinhoff won an injury default versus Mike Cirrito of Williams College.

Overall the Cougars continue to wrestle well. "I was pleased with our performance in a very tough event," said Reese. "We had some mental lapses, and a times we made poor decisions and got in poor position, that hurt us. But all in all we are in most of our matches right till the end. The team has a lot of heart and they wrestle that way," noted Reese.

The Cougars will be making a short trip to Collegeville, MN next Saturday to compete in the Terry Hawes Duals at St. John's University. Competing in the duals will be NSIC foes Minnesota-State Moorhead and Southwest State, along with MIAC members St. Olaf and Concordia College. Wrestling will begin at 10:00 am.

Dante Lewis won his sixth consecutive individual championship at the Simpson College Invitational. Lewis upped his record to a perfect 21-0 on the season.