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Gophers to compete at the Kaufman-Brand Open on Saturday
November 18, 2004
The University of Minnesota wrestling team will continue its 2004-05 season this Saturday at the Kaufman-Brand Open in Omaha, Neb. The tournament will feature as many as 700 participants, including wrestlers from the University of Nebraska and the University of Iowa, making it the largest one-day collegiate wrestling event in the country. The tournament features an open division and a 20-and-under division.
Last season, the Golden Gophers claimed six titles at the Kaufman-Brand Open. Cole Konrad earned second place at heavyweight, while Jon Duncombe claimed fourth at 184 pounds in the open division. Four of Minnesota's wrestlers from its top-ranked recruiting class earned championships in the 20-and-under division. Mack Reiter (125), C.P. Schlatter (149), Gabriel Dretsch (174) and Matt Koz (197) all earned individual titles.
The Golden Gophers are coming off a dominating performance at the Bison Open last weekend in Fargo, N.D. Minnesota won eight of the 10 individual titles and had the top two placewinners in three different weight classes. Reiter won the title at 133 pounds as the Golden Gophers owned the top four spots at that weight class. Also winning titles were Lowe (125), Will Holst (141), Danny Williams (149), Matt Nagel (165), Gabriel Dretsch (174), Roger Kish (184) and Konrad (HWT).
In addition to this weekend's tournament, Konrad will travel to the campus of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville for the 39th annual Marines All-Star Classic. The event attempts to pit the top two ranked wrestlers at each weight class. Konrad will face 2003 NCAA Champion Steve Mocco. Mocco won his title while wrestling for Iowa, but transferred to Oklahoma State prior to this season.
The All-Star Classic features seven NCAA Champions and eight preseason top-ranked wrestlers. Six of the 10 matches, including Konrad's, will feature the top two ranked wrestlers according to the NWCA Division I Coaches Poll. The event begins at 7 p.m. and will air live on College Sports Television.