Lazaro fourth at nationals, Lopez, Steele each top 8

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DES MOINES, Iowa — The three Dickinson State wrestlers left in the NAIA national wrestling tournament found their way onto the podium and claimed All-American honors.

Bryden Lazaro, Jose Lopez and Brad Steele each placed in the top eight at the national tournament on Saturday.

Lazaro had the highest finish at fourth. The 125-pounder lost in an 8-5 decision to University of Cumberland’s (Ky.) Larone Madison in the third-place match.

The DSU sophomore started the day with a 7-1 decision over Missouri Baptist’s Gabriel Roman and edged Danny Luttrell of Great Falls (Mont.) in a 5-3 decision.

Jose Lopez (285) grabbed two quick wins to start the day, before being beat by Andrew Ewers of Shorter (Ga.) in a 3-1 decision. The junior went on to defeat Joe Kent of Missouri Baptist in a 9-0 major decision in the fifth place match.

Steele (149) took seventh after defeating Carey Cloud of William Penn in a 9-2 decision.

The team winner didn’t have to travel far to claim the national championship. Grand View (Iowa), which is located in Des Moines, posted 172 points including two individual champions and two runner-ups.

The Dickinson Press erroneously reported in Saturday’s edition that the top six placers received All-American status. The top eight placers receive the honor.

Williams takes 12th in pole vault at nationals

GENEVA, Ohio — The Dickinson State track and field team had one last competitor in the final day of the NAIA indoor championships.

Johnpaul Williams didn’t quite hit his seeded mark and placed 12th in the pole vault on Saturday.

The Blue Hawks sophomore came into the event with a seeding height of 15 feet, 9 inches. Williams jumped a height of 14-11 in the finals. He missed all three attempts at 15-5.

The meet concluded the indoor season for DSU, but the outdoor season start at the beginning of April.

Tags: dickinson state wrestling, blue hawks, sports