Blue Hawks head to North Group qualifying tourney

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The Dickinson State wrestling team hopes its up-and-down season hits an high note Saturday at the NAIA North Group national qualifying tournament in Orange City, Iowa.

The Blue Hawks are shooting for three things: a team title, improved seeding at the national tournament and additional national qualifiers.

“Each individual makes a big difference, but then also the team aspect of it,” DSU head coach Thadd O’Donnell said. “We’ve been ranked first, second and third so it’s going to be anybody’s ball game. Who wrestles the best is obviously going to get the draw.”

DSU comes into the tournament ranked No. 3 in the North Group behind Midland (Neb.) and Morningside (Iowa).

The Blue Hawks boast three No. 1-seeded wrestlers in the group: junior Cameron Schrempp (174 pounds), senior Steven Urquizo (184) and junior George Hargrove (197).

Nine DSU wrestlers have already qualified for nationals: Schrempp, Urquizo, Hargrove, Sergio Martinez (125), Cody Hilzendeger (133), Adam Orton (141), Jordan Ewen (149), Brad Steele (149) and Nick Zumwalt (165).

DSU is taking three wrestlers — 165-pound freshman Brady Burgess, and heavyweights Cody Jamtgaard and Colton Hill — who O’Donnell hopes can qualify for the national tournament.

Those three need to finish in the top four of their weight class to advance to nationals. O’Donnell said that’s no easy task.

“The top four in each of those weight classes are pretty tough,” he said. “They need to have a really good weekend to get it done.”

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