Records: Southwest Minnesota State
finished with a dual record of 0-11, including 0-4 in the NSIC. Tyler
Johnson had the best individual record at 31-19. His 31 wins ranks 12th
in single season SMSU history. Luke Giese also reached the 20-win mark
with a 20-16 record and also led the team with eight pins.
Letterwinners:
Seniors (2): Cody Chamblin, Greg Frank
Juniors (1): Tyler Johnson
Sophomores (2): Luke Giese, C.D. Johnson
Freshmen (3): Ed Reno, L.J. Franzoni, Logan McAlpin
Head Coach Jesse Nelson:
Jesse Nelson completed his first year at SMSU with a dual record of
0-11 overall and 0-4 in the NSIC. He took over for John Sterner, who
resigned over the summer. Nelson previously spent five years at
Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minn., where he led Ridgewater to five
top-five national finishes in five years as the head coach.
Johnson Qualifies for NCAA Tournament
Tyler Johnson headed to the NCAA Division II national tournament after
coming back through wrestlebacks at 184 on Sunday, Mar. 2 to place
third at the North Regional tournament in Mankato. Johnson is SMSU’s
first national qualifier since 2006, when Tim Johns and Joel
Wipperfurth both qualified. Wipperfurth finished sixth at the national
tournament at 197. Johnson is also the first national qualifier for
first-year head coach Jesse Nelson.
Johnson lost his first match of the day to top-seeded and No. 2
nationally ranked Brent Pankoke of Nebraska-Omaha. However, Johnson
fought back, defeating fourth-seed Ben Becker of Minnesota State,
Mankato, 5-3. He then faced the second seed and 8th-ranked Beau
Severtson of Augustana (S.D.) in the wrestleback semifinals and won a
4-3 decision. In the third-place match, Johnson was forced to wrestle
Pankoke again, who was upset in the semifinals of the championship
bracket. After getting pinned in his first match against Pankoke,
Johnson came up with one of the biggest upsets of the tournament,
winning a 3-2 decision to end the day and place third at 184.
Luke Giese finished one win away from qualifying at 149, losing a 14-5
major decision to third-seed Monterious Adams of Upper Iowa in the
wrestleback semifinals. Giese lost his opening match to Chad Kubasch of
St. Cloud State by an 8-5 decision, but upset fifth seed Shane Walton
(MSU Moorhead) with a 4-3 decision and defeated Shawn Sneva (Mary), 5-0.
At the national tournament, Johnson finished 0-2.
Mustang Success in the Opens:
SMSU has had much more success in opens this season than in duals,
which may not be surprising given the lack of numbers on this year’s
roster. In six opens this year, SMSU has placed 23 wrestlers, including
six top-three finishers and one individual champion. Luke Giese took
home the 149 crown at the MSU Moorhead Open in December and also placed
third at the Jamestown Open at 157. Tyler Johnson is the other Mustang
wrestler to place in the top-three twice.