Minnesota, Central Oklahoma, and Augsburg capture top honors at 2002 NWCA National Wrestling Duals i

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Heather Van Peursem (TheMat.com)
01/20/2002


COLUMBUS, OH - Marking the first time that three dual team championships were held simultaneously, the 2002 NWCA National Wrestling Duals came to a close in Columbus, Ohio.    Taking top honors this year were the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Division I, the Central Oklahoma Broncos in Division II, and Augsburg College Division III.    Division I  In Division I competition, No. 1 ranked Minnesota soundly beat the host team, No. 7 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, 26-8 winning seven of 10 matches.     The host team put in an outstanding performance in the tournament, defeating No. 3 ranked Oklahoma in semifinal round competition for a shot at the title. The No. 7 ranked Buckeyes of Ohio State fought hard in the finals, but could captures wins in just three weight classes.     Capturing third place were the No. 5 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes with a win over No. 6 ranked Iowa State. After forfeiting at 125 pounds the Cyclones won just three matches in the dual, one of which was a forfeit to 3-time national champion Cael Sanderson.    No. 1 ranked Hawkeye Steve Mocco, who was handed his first loss of the season earlier in the day by No. 4 ranked Leonce Crump of Oklahoma, rebounded in the final dual of the day with a solid 6-2 win over ISU's Mark Knauer.     Rounding out the top eight was No. 4 Michigan with a tight 21-19 win over No. 3 Oklahoma for 5th place; and Oklahoma State with a solid 23-15 win over Penn for 7th Place    The Division I Outstanding Wrestler award was presented to 3-time undefeated National Champion, Cael Sanderson of Iowa State University.    Championship Final results  Minnesota 26, Ohio State 8  125 - Leroy Vega (MINN) dec. Jesse Leng (OS), 12-4  133 - Eric Anderson (MINN) maj dec. Jeff Ratliff (OS), 13-2  141 - Robert Sessley (OS) dec. Chad Erickson (MINN), 7-3  149 - Jared Lawrence (MINN) dec. Keaton Anderson (OS), 7-2  157 - Luke Becker (MINN) tech fall Josh Janson (OS), 19-4  165 - John Clark (OS) dec. Nate Baker (MINN), 7-4  174 - Jacob Volkmann (MINN) maj dec. Ryan Hieber (OS), 9-0  184 - Damion Hahn (MINN) dec. Anton Talamantes (OS), 3-2  197 - Owen Elzen (MINN) dec. Casey Kapustka (OS), 9-7 OT  285 - Tommy Rowlands (OS) dec. Garrett Lowney (MINN), 3-2      Division II  The Division II finals pitted No. 1 against No.2. Winning seven of 10 finals matches, the Broncos of Central Oklahoma handed a 26-13 loss to the No. 1 ranked North Dakota State Bison.    Capturing 3rd place were the No. 4 ranked Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks with close 21-18 win over No. 3 ranked Ashland. The 5th place honors went to Augustana win a 30-12 win over the University of Findlay; and in a barn burner of a dual that end 21-21 and ended up being decided by criteria, Central Missouri was awarded 7th place honors over Pitt-Johnstown.    The Division II Outstanding Wrestler award was presented Jed Ramos, the 133-pounder from Augustana.    Championship Finals results  Central Oklahoma 26, North Dakota State 13  125 - Stawser (NDSU) dec. Saferite (CO), 5-2  133 - Province (CO) dec. Thielbar (NDSU), 4-2 OT  141 - Dodgett (CO) dec. Christianson (NDSU), 5-0  149 - Barreras (CO) maj dec. Kelly (NDSU), 13-5  157 - Gomez (CO) dec. Carlson (NDSU), 6-3  165 - Silvis (CO) dec. Fiedler (NDSU), 4-2  174 - Ingells (NDSU) fall Parker (CO), 2: 19  184 - Henning (CO) fall Rufo (NDSU), 1:29  197 - Lawal (CO) maj dec. Kramer (NDSU), 16-7  285 - Severson (NDSU) maj dec. Rice (CO), 13-5      Division III  No. 1 ranked Augsburg had no trouble holding on to their top ranking with a 29-12 thumping of No. 2 ranked Wartburg College in the Division III finals. Augsburg turned in a stellar performance capturing three decisions, two major decisions, and two falls.    In other medal round competition, No. 3 ranked Wisconsin-Lacrosse captured 3rd place with a 24-16 win over Kings College. Unranked Springfield earned the 5th place honors over No. 7 ranked Upper Iowa with a 19-17 win; and Buena Vista earned the 7th place position with a 27-15 win over Luther College.    The Division III Outstanding Wrestler award was presented Jesus Wilson, the 141-pounder from Upper Iowa University.    Championship Finals  Augsburg 29, Wartburg 12  125 - Betram (A) dec. Ropp (W), 5-0  133 - Marchette (A) maj dec. Havig (W), 11-3  141 - Fisher (A) maj dec. Kelly (W), 12-3  149 - Ganas (W) dec. Tidwell (A), 6-3  157 - Bratland (W) fall Jirele (A), 6:36  165 - Abbott (A) fall Powell (W), 2:32  174 - Slack (A) fall Sturm (W), 2:36  184 - Crone (A) dec. Alverez (W), 3-1  197 - Rasmussen (A) dec. Djomessi (W), 5-2  285 - Gardner (W) dec. Revier (A), 4-0