February 16, 2003
Morris, MN - Dante Lewis (Omaha, NE) cruised to his third NSIC championship title on Sunday, February 16th at the University of Minnesota-Morris. Lewis won his eighth individual title of the season and was sited by the NSIC coaches as the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. In the process, Lewis raised his season record to a amazing 38-1.
Lewis opened up the tournament with Ravin Samaraweera of Southwest State University. Lewis persevered in a match that Samaraweera didn't want to wrestle, and who stalled the entire match. Lewis stuck to his relentless attack and won a decision 10-3.
In the finals, Lewis won a 6-2 decision versus MSU-Moorhead's Desmond Radunz. Lewis scored two takedowns, an escape and earned riding time for the win - his 38th on the season. Lewis also added to his UMM record total of 147 takedowns for the season.
In the past three seasons Lewis has a earned a 9-0 record in NSIC duals and a 8-0 record in the NSIC championships. Lewis' championship ties a school record with the most conference titles with former NCAA III national champion Tom Beyer, and former 2x All-American Jeff Merritt.
"Dante is having an All-American type year," said UMM head coach Doug Reese. "There is no question that he is the best wrestler in the NSIC. Bar none. He has proved what he can do. Now our focus in getting to nationals," said Reese.
Todd Sanchez (Wichita, KS) and Eric Steinhoff (Luverne, MN) provided some fireworks of their own in the semifinals upsetting higher seeded wrestlers to advance to the championship finals while earning All-NSIC status.
Sanchez wrestling at 141 pounds, upset number two seed Jeremy Kellar of MSU-Moorhead with a solid 6-1 decision on the strength of two takedowns. This is the second straight season Sanchez has earned All-NSIC honors.
"Todd wrestled this weekend like the athlete we knew was within," said Reese. "Todd had a solid attack, made great decisions, and defended well. He gave a solid, total effort," commented Reese.
Sanchez lost in the finals to MSU-Moorhead's Mitch Jackson 10-2 to finish second in the conference championships.
Steinhoff competing at 184 pounds, was questionable with a rib injury up to the start of the first match, upset Tim Johns of Southwest State University 9-7.
Steinhoff who had lost to Johns twice earlier in the season, gutted out a critical win while scoring seven points on the mat in the second period. The Academic All-American senior captain earned All-NSIC honors for the first time in his career.
"Eric had battled injuries his entire career here," noted Reese. "Getting on the mat was a major move by him, then to go out and beat a kid he has lost to twice this season was huge. In the final thirty seconds of the match Eric successfully defended a strong mat attack by John's to hold on to the win. Eric exhibited a whole lot of character out there today. We need more tough guys like that in our world today," said Reese.
Jaime Compean (El Paso, TX) placed fourth at 133 pounds, losing by fall to Phil Greenfield of Northern State University in the bronze medal match.
Cougar freshman wrestlers Lucas Scharmer (Menomonie, WI) and Robert Sauter (Glydon, MN) both failed to advance into the medal round at 149 pounds.
The Cougars next competition comes March 2nd at Truman State University, host site of the NCAA II Midwest Regional Championships. In a do or die situation, the top four wrestlers in each weight class advance to the NCAA II National Wrestling Championships on March 14-15 in West Liberty, WV.
Dante Lewis won his third consecutive NSIC Individual Wrestling title, only the third UMM athlete to do so, is being presented the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award by NSIC commissioner Mike Lochrem (photo by Doug Reese).
Academic All-American senior captain Eric Steinhoff puts the pressure on Tim Johns of Southwest State University in hopes of scoring a nearfall. Steinhoff prevailed 9-7 and earned All-NSIC honors. (photo by Doug Reese.)