SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Two Dickinson State wrestlers punched their tickets to the NAIA national tournament Saturday afternoon.
Brad Steele, a Beach native wrestling at 149, took second as he and teammate Jordan Ewen both reached the finals at 149. Sergio Martinez finished the Briar Cliff Open fifth at 125 pounds, beating Corey Kisgner from Morningside College by a 9-5 decision.
Both are now eligible for the national tournament.
"Brad really had a great day," DSU head coach Thadd O'Donnell said. "He picked things up and put together a real good day."
Kevin Hanson took fifth for the Blue Hawks at 133 pounds, beating Miles Negley of York College 5-1.
ADVERTISEMENT
Cameron Schrempp lost to Glen Rhees from Grandview (Iowa) by a 5-4 decision in the 174-pound championship.
"This tournament was very deep, talent-wise," O'Donnell said. "We lost a couple matches today that we wrestled real well in and lost by just a point or two."
Junior George Hargrove also had to settle for second place at 197 as he lost to Nebraska's Spencer Johnson by a 5-4 decision. Steven Urquizo snagged another runner-up finish at 184 pounds. He lost to Nebraska's James Nakashima via a 23-7 technical fall.
"Going into this we told the guys we weren't real worried about the records," O'Donnell said. "We just wanted to wrestle hard for seven minuets.
Nick Zumwalt finished in fourth after he lost to Nick Turner from Oklahoma City by a 6-1 decision.
"We got 16 pins today," O'Donnell said. "We told the guys that we needed to come out and get 10 while we were here ... the guys really picked it up and went after it all day."
