March 18, 2003
SEASON COMPLETED: St. Cloud State University (1-13, 0-6 NCC) finished its 2002-03 season with a ninth place finish at the NCAA Division II championships in Wheeling, W.V. on March 14-15. This marks the Huskies' third highest finish at the NCAA championships and the top finish during Steve Grimit's run as head coach. At the 2002-03 North Central Conference championships, SCSU placed seventh.
LAST YEAR: St. Cloud State (6-8 overall, 1-5 NCC duals) completed its 2001-02 season with a 15th place finish at the NCAA Division II championships on March 8-9, at UW-Parkside in Kenosha, Wis.
THE RESULTS: An incredible finish by the SCSU wrestling team at this year's NCAA championships. Senior Dustin Darveaux rolled to a second place finish and All-America honors at heavyweight. He was 3-1 at the tournament, which included a 9-4 win over Tom Poe (West. Liberty) and a 7-1 win over Plamen Pasklev (Central Missouri). In the semi's, Darveaux charted an 11-2 win over Pitt.-Johnstown's Howard Bell before losing 6-0 to Les Sigman of UNO in the finals...at 174-pounds, Jon Duncombe gained a 15-2 first round win over Careef Robertson (AC) and a 5-3 win over Jason Tapia of Central Oklahoma. In the semi's, Duncombe defeated Tanner Linsacum of UNC 12-5. In the finals, Duncomeb dropped a tough 3-2 decision to Frank Kuchera of UN-Kearney...at 165-pounds, Matt Neumueller lost in the first round to Greg Chirielseion of Colorado Mines, before coming back with wins over Derek Donelson (Indianapolis) and Tyler Bryant (SDSU) in the wrestlebacks. Neumueller also gained a 9-2 win over Lucas Mackesey of Findlay before defeating Jared Deaguero of UNC in the third place bout by a 5-2 margin...at 157-pounds, Dan Duch lost to Jared Cooley of SW State (10-3) and Travis Peak of Chadron (4-3) in the wrestlebacks...here are the top 10 team scores: 1. Central Oklahoma, 87.5; 2. Nebraska-Kearney, 73.5; 3. Nebraska-Omaha, 65.5; 4. North Dakota State, 63; 5. Findlay, 57.5; 6. Adams State, 56; 7. Northern Colorado, 52; 8. San Francisco State, 47.5; 9. St Cloud State, 44; 10. South Dakota State, 40
TEAM NOTES: Jon Duncombe (13-3) gained his first NCC title this season, and is the first SCSU wrestler to win a NCC title since Aaron Sanders, Ryan Marx and Klaus Alberts won titles in 1999. Duncombe claimed All-America honors for the second consecutive time, after placing fourth at 174 in 2002. A three-time All-American, Dustin Darveaux's (37-4) second place finish is his best ever at nationals following a 4th place finish in 2002 and a 7th place ending in 2001. Darveaux owns a 142-40 career record, which bypasses the record of 126 career wins set by Andy Reigstad, who had 126 from 1993-97. Darveaux had 38 wins in 2001-02 , which tied the team record for most wins in a season along with Reigstad (1993-94) and Gene Hanemann (1994-95). Darveaux won an impressive four tournament titles in 2002-03 (Williamson Open, the Bison Open, Northern Iowa Open and the SCSU Invitational), which is one short of the current team record...Matt Neumueller made his second NCAA trip in 2003 and gained All-America honors for the first time with his 3rd place ending. At the NCAAs, Neumueller won his 100th career match and completes his tenure at SCSU with a 101-60 record... Dan Duch (9-20) made his first trip to the NCAAs......in the latest NCAA DII rankings, Matt Neumueller is ranked #5 at 165, Darveaux is ranked #2 at HWT and Duncombe is 7th at 174 ...at the 2003 NCC meet, SCSU placed seventh overall with 31 points. Nebraska-Omaha was first in the NCC with 76 points and NDSU was second with 55/5 points. Northern Colorado (52), South Dakota State (49.5), MSU-Mankato (45) and Augustana (42.5) completed the field..the Huskies' 9th place finish at the NCAA meet is the team's best since finishing 8th in 1985-86 under the leadership of Husky legend coach John Oxton. The team's best NCAA finish was a 7th place ending in 1982-83 under Oxton...back in the 1960s, the Huskies placed third at the NAIA meet in 1963 and 1965.
COACHING STAFF: The Huskies are led this season by Steve Grimit (Western Illinois, 1987). Grimit is in his 10th season as head coach of the Huskies. Grimit has led the Huskies to a 62-73 overall/21-45 NCC record during since 1993.