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Lewis wins fourth straight Individual Title, remains undefeated at 14-0
Grand Rapdis, MN - Todd Sanchez (Wichita, KS) and Dante Lewis (Omaha, NE) claimed championship titles at the 37th Annual Mike Rybak Open on Saturday, December 14th at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids.
Sanchez won his first collegiate championship with a strong effort in the 141 pound weight class. After a first round bye, Sanchez won a 5-3 decision versus Jamestown's Jake Esser. A late third period takedown cinched the win for Sanchez.
In the finals Sanchez defeated Chris Thompson of Itasca Community College 10-7. Trailing 4-3 at the end of the first period, Sanchez escaped, then took Thompson down to his back for five points. That was the five points Thompson could not overcome in the final two minutes.
Lewis again dominated the field at 125 pounds winning by either technical fall or by major decision. After a first round bye, Lewis won a 18-3 technical fall versus Josh Filbrandt of Itasca Community College. Lewis scored three takedowns and four nearfalls in the win.
In the finals, Lewis won by major decision 13-6 over Tim Haag of Jamestown College. Lewis ran his record up to 14-0 on the season going into Christmas break. It was the best start for a Cougar since Mark McNamer went 12-0 going in to the break during the 1992-93 season.
Jaime Compean (El Paso, TX) placed in his first collegiate tournament with a second place effort at 133 pounds.
Compean defeated Jamestown's Eric Grund in a hard fought 7-5 decision, then downed John Motta of Jamestown 5-4, escaping for a one point win with just one second left in the match.
In the finals, Compean lost by fall to Ryan Flinginger of Itasca in 5:03.
"This is just what we needed going into the break," said head coach Doug Reese. "We wrestled well and won some big matches at the final buzzer and in overtime. The team continues to improve which is so encouraging with the youth of this team and the injuries we are fighting. The break now will help us recover and be ready for the second half of the season."
Also wrestling well for the Cougars was Robert Sauter at 141 pounds who finished 5th, Lucas Scharmer at 149 pounds, and Jake Scott at 184 pounds.
Two of the Cougar regulars were out of the lineup this past weekend. Senior co-captain Eric Steinhoff was fighting the flu and sophomore Jeremy Glende was out with a shoulder injury sustained in the Cougar Open.
The Cougars are now off for the Christmas break and will return to campus to resume training on December 30th. On January 4th both the UM-Morris men's and women's wrestling teams will travel to Thunder Bay, Ontario for the Gord Garvie Memorial Wrestling Festival.\
