Six Qualify for Nationals - Norse Finish Third - Dave Mitchell Named Co-Coach of the Year
Feb. 21, 2008
The Norse will be sending six to the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships. Three will be making return trips to the national finale, while three have qualified for the first time.
Earning their first trips to the national tournament was Zach Bartlett (133), Yonny Quist (149) and Nic Barclay (184), who all placed third. #6 Bartlett advanced to the national tournament after posting an 11-4 victory over #4 seed Gannon Hjerleid of Coe. #4 Quist defeated #3 Curtis Barber of Simpson 8-6, and #5 Barclay defeated #3 Greg Lalla of Coe 3-1 in sudden victory.
Travis Grawin (141), Alec Bonander (197) and John Miller (285) all reached the finals, but were defeated in the championship match.
#3 Grawin was defeated by #1 Matt Kelley of Wartburg 10-4. Kelly entered this match ranked third in the country. Grawin, an All-American last season thanks to a seventh place finish, will be making his second consecutive trip to the national tournament.
For the second year in a row, #2 Bonander was defeated by #1 T J Miller of Wartburg. Miller posted a 3-2 overtime victory en route to his third consecutive IIAC championship. These two are the top two ranked wrestlers in the country and tonight's match could be a preview for the the national championship bout. Bonander will be making his third consecutive trip to the national tournament. Last year he finished third, earning All-America honors for the first time.
#2 John Miller was defeated by #1 Brian Borchers of Wartburg 4-0. Borchers who started the season unranked, is now ranked third in the country. Miller entered the tournament ranked ninth. Miller is also making his third trip to the national tournament. Last year he did not place in the top eight, but did earn All-America honors in 2006 placing eighth.
Other place winners for the Norse included Lee Meirick (125) sixth; Dustin Balsley (157) seventh; Thomas Ingram (165) fourth; and A J Gregg (174) seventh.
As a team, Luther finished third, posting a point total of 123.5. Wartburg won the 2008 championship with 185.5 and Coe was second with 141.5.
Head Coach Dave Mitchell was named Iowa Conference Co-Coach of the Year. He shares the honor with John Oostendorp of Coe College. This is the fourth time Mitchell has been so honored. He was also named IIAC Coach of the Year in 1999, 2002 and 2004.
Coe College, Cornell College and the Iowa Conference will host the 2008 NCAA Division III National Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, March 7-8 at the U. S. Cellular Center.
