Jason Rhoten of Minnesota State and Ross Taplin of Nebraska-Omaha have been named the NCC Wrestlers of the Week.
Rhoten, a senior 157-pounder from Mantorville, Minn., compiled a
5-0 record last week and helped Minnesota State capture the NWCA
National Duals with a thrilling 19-17 win over NCC rival Nebraska-Omaha
in the tournament’s final. Rhoten, the NCAA Division II top-ranked
wrestler, defeated Western State’s Neil Samples, 8-3, before the
tournament. He then posted a technical fall over Bryan Irwin of Chadron
State, 21-4 at 6:15. He then defeated Mazen Kholi of Pitt-Johnstown,
6-2, and Joe Ellenberger of Nebraska-Kearney, 4-3. In the tournament
finals he tallied a 3-2 win over Henry Wahle of Nebraska-Omaha.
Taplin, a junior from Abilene, Kan., was unranked entering the
week, but defeated two highly-ranked wrestlers in helping
Nebraska-Omaha to a second-place finish at the NWCA National Duals.
Taplin defeated Hudson Harrison of Mercyhurst, 2-0, before knocking off
#2-ranked Tyler Tubbs of Minnesota State Moorhead, 15-10. In the third
round he defeated Tommy Morrison of Central Oklahoma, 10-4, before
defeating #3-ranked Tim Matheson of Minnesota State, 5-2.
Others nominated: Chris Schiewe, St. Cloud State.
2007-2008 Wrestling Honor Roll
Nov. 13 - Jason Rhoten, Minnesota State
Nov. 20 - Jacob Marrs, Nebraska-Omaha
Dec. 4 - Brad Padgett, St. Cloud State
Dec. 11 - Brady Wilson, Minnesota State andSim Bribieseca, Nebraska-Omaha
Dec. 18 - Jason Rhoten, Minnesota State
Jan. 8 - Todd Meneely, Nebraska-Omaha
Jan. 15 - Jason Rhoten, Minnesota State and Ross Taplin, Nebraska-Omaha