24 NCC Wrestlers Headed to NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Twenty-four NCC wrestlers, including all 10 Minnesota State wrestlers, have qualified to complete at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships Friday and Saturday at the Health and Sports Center in Kearney, Neb. Along with the 10 Maverick wrestlers, Nebraska-Omaha qualified eight grapplers, Augustana five and St. Cloud State one.
Minnesota State captured eight titles at the recent NCAA North Region Championship en route to the regional team title. Nebraska-Omaha finished third with two champions while Augustana was fifth and St. Cloud State tied for seventh. NCC wrestlers claimed nine of the 10 weight classes. Nick Smith of Minnesota State was named the North Region Wrestler of the Year.
Nebraska-Omaha is attempting to win its fourth consecutive NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship. UNO won the title last year with 117 points while Minnesota State was fifth with 63.5 points. In the latest NWCA poll, Minnesota State is ranked second, Nebraska-Omaha sits fourth and Augustana is 14th.
NCC National Qualifiers
125 pounds: Nick Smith, Minnesota State*; Chris Trampe,
Augustana
133 pounds: Jeff Pfaffinger, Minnesota State*; Jeff Rau, Nebraska-Omaha
141 pounds: Travis Elg, Minnesota State*; Sim Bribieseca, Nebraska-Omaha
149 pounds: Jason Rhoten, Minnesota State*; Todd Meneely, Nebraska-Omaha
157 pounds: Brandon Girtz, Minnesota State*; Austin Scarset, Augustana
165 pounds: Andy Pickar, Minnesota State*; Ross Taplin, Nebraska-Omaha
174 pounds: JD Naig, Nebraska-Omaha*; Tim Matheson, Minnesota State; Cody Henrikson, Augustana
184 pounds: Austin Boehm, Nebraska-Omaha*; Travis Krinkie, Minnesota State; Nick Wilkes, St. Cloud State
197 pounds: Ben Janike, Minnesota State; Jacob Marrs, Nebraska-Omaha; Nate Buys, Augustana
Heavyweight: Brady Wilson, Minnesota State*; Tony Lewis, Nebraska-Omaha; Ray O'Connor, Augustana
*Denotes North Region Champion