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November 25, 2002
Mequon, WI &endash; University of Minnesota-Morris wrestler Dante Lewis extended his undefeated winning streak to nine with a 4-0 performance at the Concordia University Open in Mequon, Wisconsin on Saturday, November 23rd.
The Cougars wrestlers hit the road again this season, this time to Mequon, Wisconsin, 15 miles north of Milwaukee to compete in the 10th Annual Concordia University Open. A total of 20 colleges and universities from six states traveled to the marathon competition that lasted well over 11 hours.
Lewis, a junior from Omaha, Nebraska, opened the tournament after a first round bye at 125 pounds with a 17-2 technical fall versus Mike Dombrokski of Triton College (IL). Lewis scored five takedowns and one near fall in route to the victory. In the quarterfinals, Lewis defeated Arthur Bradford of Loras College (IA) with a 19-4 technical superiority. Lewis scored five takedowns and two near falls in the win.
In the semifinals, Lewis won a solid 6-1 decision versus Jared Esala of UW-Stevens Point. Lewis put together three takedowns, one in each period while allowing just one escape in the match to advance to the 125-pound championship finals.
In the finals Lewis won a 1-1 sudden victory bout versus Terry Morgan of Loras College (IA). Both wrestlers scored escapes in regulation, in the one-minute overtime neither wrestler could score a takedown, but Lewis was in deep four times, but could not keep Morgan in bounds to secure a winning takedown. Morgan won the coin flip and choose down in the 30-second sudden victory overtime. Lewis was able to control Morgan on the mat and rode out the clock for the championship. The win was Lewis' second title of the young season.
"Dante had an exceptional performance on Saturday," said UMM head coach Doug Reese. "Dante looked tough on his feet and on the mat, even the Michigan State coaches were impressed with his wrestling. The highlight was seeing Dante maintain focus in the midst of the frustration of wrestling Morgan, who in the finals stalled the whole match, but was never penalized for his lack of aggression. Combine that with the stress of losing the choice of position in overtime, he did a tremendous job. Winning by riding out an opponent in overtime is not an easy thing to do. Dante is evolving into a total wrestler this season," noted Reese.
A number of UMM wrestlers performed well at the Concordia University Open. Jaime Compean a freshman from El Paso, Texas went 2-2 at 133 pounds. Compean lost his opening match to Shane Martin of Michigan State but came back to defeat Adam Kuchna of UW-LaCrosse and Brandon Young of Loras.
Todd Sanchez a sophomore from Wichita, Kansas went 2-2 at 141 pounds. Sanchez won a major decision versus Chad Chiparo of Loras, then won a decision over Eric Keith by injury default of Michigan State.
Sophomore Jeremy Glende of Medford, Minnesota went 2-1 in the competition at 149 pounds before withdrawing from the competition due to injury. Glende won by fall versus Tim Schwan of Loras College by fall in 1:23, then won 9-7 in overtime versus Sam Rugg of Concordia University. In his final match Glende lost a 7-0 decision to NCAA II national qualifier Victor Juarez of UW-Parkside.
Freshman Lucas Scharmer of Menomonie, Wisconsin went 1-2 at 149 pounds. Scharmer defeated Rob Hessenius of Loras Collage 6-4 in overtime, and then dropped decisions to UW-Oshkosh and to Triton College.
Senior co-captain Eric Steinhoff of Luverne, Minnesota went 2-2 at 184 pounds. Steinhoff had a strong outing, scoring a total of 11 near falls on the day. Steinhoff downed Alex Park-May of Muskegon with a 17-11 decision, and then dropped a 7-3 decision to Josh Rupprecht of Elmhurst College. Steinhoff came back with a 16-0 technical fall versus Bryan Otto of Concordia University, then lost a heartbreaking a 4-2 sudden victory decision to Tim Haffner of Concordia in the consolation semifinals.
"Overall I was quite happy with our effort this weekend," said UMM head coach Doug Reese. "We won 3 of 4 overtime matches, and 12 of 18 matches in the third period. That is a good sign of our improved level of conditioning. We are little banged up right now though. I am going to give the entire team Thanksgiving week off to recover, both mentally and physically. I think a week off will be a big boost for everyone," noted Reese.
The Cougars will be returning to competitive action on Saturday, December 7th when they host the Annual UM-Morris Cougar Open in the UMM P.E. Center. A total of sixteen teams from the Upper Midwest and Canada are expected to attend this traditional tough collegiate event.
Dante Lewis claims his second tournament title of the season at the Concordia University Open in Mequon, Wisconsin. Lewis is currently 9-0 on the season and ranked #7 in the NCAA II Coaches Poll. (photo by Doug Reese)
Senior co-captain Eric Steinhoff turns Alex Park-May of Muskegon Community College during a 17-11 decision. Steinhoff wrestled exceptionally tough on the mat, turning his opponents to their back for near falls 11 times during the tournament. (photo by Doug Reese)