St. Cloud State clinches share of first NCAA Division II wrestling title
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by Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
St. Cloud State heavyweight Austin Goergen celebrates a big win on Saturday afternoon in St. Louis. Mark Lundy photo.
ST. LOUIS – Steve Costanzo knows all about the close misses at the NCAA Division II Championships.
Costanzo’s St. Cloud State Huskies took home a runner-up trophy in 2011. And again in 2012 and 2013.
But Costanzo’s persistence and perseverance finally paid off as St. Cloud State has earned at least a share of its first NCAA wrestling title in school history.
The Huskies clinched at least a tie for the championship with another strong session on Saturday before 2,500 fans at the Chaifetz Arena.
Fourth-ranked St. Cloud State has the lead with 80.5 points entering the finals. Three-time team champion and third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney is second with 68.5 points. Both teams have two wrestlers in the finals.
Costanzo said this is the first NCAA title St. Cloud State, located in central Minnesota, has won in any sport. Costanzo coached Dana College (Neb.) to the 2006 NAIA national title.
“I told our guys we had to duplicate the type of performance we had in the second round yesterday – and that’s exactly what we did today,” said Costanzo, whose team placed second in its NCAA regional. “It was a tremendous team effort. We had guys going out and getting bonus points and that was huge for us.
“We only brought six guys, so we had to be flawless to win this. Our guys did an outstanding job. This obviously means a lot to our school and to our program.”
Tournament host and second-ranked Maryville is third with 60 points. The Saints also have two wrestlers in the finals. This is just the fourth season for the Maryville wrestling program.
The finals are set for 7 p.m. Central on Saturday.
St. Cloud State earned a huge victory when heavyweight Austin Goergen powered in for a late takedown to rally past Tiffin’s Garrett Grey 9-7 in the semifinals. Goergen was down 4-0 early in the bout.
2014 champion Romero Cotton of Nebraska-Kearney reached his third straight final at 197. Cotton scored an overtime takedown to edge McKendree’s Julian Smith 3-1 in the semis. The junior placed second as a freshman. Cotton will meet Newberry’s Huston Evans in the finals.
UNK junior Daniel DeShazer earned his third straight trip to the 133 finals, earning a 2-1 semifinal win over Ouachita Baptist’s Nate Rodriguez. DeShazer will meet Ashland’s Michael Labry in the finals.
“This is showtime,” DeShazer said. “I need to turn up the tempo and be relentless in the finals. I need to come out and be aggressive. I’ve been up there before and I’m comfortable in that position. I can’t let my team down. I need to win it for them.”
Two-time NCAA champion and top-ranked Joey Davis of Notre Dame advanced to the 174 finals against two-time All-American Zeb Wahle of Maryville. The junior is 31-0 this season and 107-0 in his career.
“(Notre Dame coach Frank Romano) told me not to be cautious, to go to my attacks,” Davis said. “Our team has worked extremely hard this year and to see them not come here and perform like I know they are capable it hurts. I’m going to do what I have to do to represent my school and to bring them another national championship.”
Wahle has dropped a one-point match and an overtime decision to Davis in his career.
“I’m actually really excited,” Wahle said about the finals rematch. “When he beat me the last time, he yelled out ‘100-0.’ I’ll be ready tonight. I’ve had a really good attitude about this season and about this tournament.”
Anderson’s Sean Turner rallied from a 5-0 deficit to earn a wild 12-10 win over returning champion Jonatan Rivera of Notre Dame in the 157 semifinals.
Returning champions Daniel Ownbey of UNC-Pembroke (141), Frank Cagnina of Central Missouri (149) and Ziad Haddad of Kutztown (285) also reached the finals.
Returning runner-up finishers back in the finals include Augustana’s T.J. North (125) and Central Oklahoma’s Chris Watson (165).
NCAA Div. II Championships
March 13-14, Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, Mo.
Top 10 teams
St. Cloud State 80.5, Nebraska-Kearney 68.5, Maryville 60, Mercyhurst 58, Ouachita Baptist 51.5, Notre Dame 46, McKendree 44.5, Western State 40, Tiffin 37.5, Colorado Mesa 30, Lindenwood 30
Medal matchups
125 pounds
1st – Tim Prescott (St. Cloud State) vs. T.J. North (Augustana)
3rd – Gerald Huff (Adams State) dec. Da’Wayne Robertson (Minnesota State Mankato), 13-8 SV1
5th – Dustin Warner (Wheeling Jesuit) dec. Joshua Kieffer (Indianapolis), 9-4
7th – Ivan McClay (Notre Dame) dec. Willie Bohince (Mercyhurst), 4-3
133 pounds
1st – Michael Labry (Ashland) vs. Daniel DeShazer (Nebraska-Kearney)
3rd – Nate Rodriguez (Ouachita Baptist) dec. Dakota Bauer (Maryville), 6-1
5th – Mike Rhone (St. Cloud State) dec. Joseph Calderone (Long Island), 6-3
7th – Nick Crume (Indianapolis) dec. Blake Bosch (Minnesota State Moorhead), 8-6 SV1
141 pounds
1st – Corbin Bennetts (Western State) vs. Daniel Ownbey (UNC-Pembroke)
3rd – Maurice Miller (Notre Dame) dec. Michael Screptock (Tiffin University), 3-2
5th – Keith Surber (Nebraska-Kearney) dec. Josh Myers (Ouachita Baptist), 8-4
7th – Darren Wynn (McKendree) pinned Kyle Webb (Lindenwood), 1:42
149 pounds
1st – Frank Cagnina (Central Missouri) vs. Terrel Wilbourn (Lindenwood)
3rd – Destin McCauley (Nebraska-Kearney) dec. Nick Goebel (University of Findlay), 3-2
5th – Scott Bosak (Belmont Abbey) dec. Jeremy Landowski (Mercyhurst), 8-3
7th – Larry Bomstad (St. Cloud State) pinned Brent Fickel (Ashland), 1:13
157 pounds
1st – Sean Turner (Anderson) vs. James Martinez (Colorado Mesa)
3rd – Clint Poster (St. Cloud State) dec. Jonatan Rivera (Notre Dame College), 7-6
5th – Derrick Weller (Lindenwood) dec. Francis Mizia (Mercyhurst), 8-6 SV1
7th – Matt Martoccio (Kutztown) dec. Greg Hegarty (Maryville), 6-4
165 pounds
1st – Chris Watson (Central Oklahoma) vs. Matt Vandermeer (Lake Erie)
3rd – Gabe Fogarty (St. Cloud State) dec. Devin Aguirre (Nebraska-Kearney), 12-6
5th – Nick Fishback (Wisconsin-Parkside) dec. JaCobi Jones (Colorado State University-Pueblo), 16-9
7th – Cody Quinn (Minnesota State Mankato) dec. Nicolas Haferkamp (McKendree), 10-2
174 pounds
1st – Joey Davis (Notre Dame) vs. Zeb Wahle (Maryville)
3rd – August Mizia (Mercyhurst) dec. Jacob Begin (Southwest Minnesota State), 1-0
5th – Archie Williams (Central Missouri) dec. John Blankenship (Pitt-Johnstown), 8-5
7th – Payne Hatter (Ouachita Baptist) pinned Randy Boerner (Colorado Mesa), 2:20
184 pounds
1st – Nick Burghardt (Maryville) vs. Dallas Smith (Ouachita Baptist)
3rd – John Vogt (McKendree) dec. Terrence Smith (Shorter), 9-4
5th – Jacob Waste (California Baptist) dec. Dakota DesLauriers (Mercyhurst University), 3-2
7th – Kyle Piatt (Western State) dec. Caleb Rivera (Limestone College), 13-2
197 pounds
1st – Romero Cotton (Nebraska-Kearney) vs. Huston Evans (Newberry)
3rd – Julian Smith (McKendree) dec. Jacob Cramer (Tiffin), 8-6 SV2
5th – Samuel Mangum (Western State) dec. Jayd Docken (Augustana), 3-2
7th – Ryan Beltz (Maryville) dec. Joe Gomez (Northern State), 9-3
285 pounds
1st – Ziad Haddad (Kutztown) vs. Austin Goergen (St. Cloud State)
3rd – Jack Page (Fort Hays State) dec. Garrett Grey (Tiffin), 13-2
5th – Andy Welton (Mercyhurst) dec. Chris Giddens (UNC Pembroke), 7-2
7th – Peter Anguiano (Western State) dec. Jordan Passehl (Colorado Mesa), 3-1
ST. LOUIS – Steve Costanzo knows all about the close misses at the NCAA Division II Championships.
Costanzo’s St. Cloud State Huskies took home a runner-up trophy in 2011. And again in 2012 and 2013.
But Costanzo’s persistence and perseverance finally paid off as St. Cloud State has earned at least a share of its first NCAA wrestling title in school history.
The Huskies clinched at least a tie for the championship with another strong session on Saturday before 2,500 fans at the Chaifetz Arena.
Fourth-ranked St. Cloud State has the lead with 80.5 points entering the finals. Three-time team champion and third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney is second with 68.5 points. Both teams have two wrestlers in the finals.
Costanzo said this is the first NCAA title St. Cloud State, located in central Minnesota, has won in any sport. Costanzo coached Dana College (Neb.) to the 2006 NAIA national title.
“I told our guys we had to duplicate the type of performance we had in the second round yesterday – and that’s exactly what we did today,” said Costanzo, whose team placed second in its NCAA regional. “It was a tremendous team effort. We had guys going out and getting bonus points and that was huge for us.
“We only brought six guys, so we had to be flawless to win this. Our guys did an outstanding job. This obviously means a lot to our school and to our program.”
Tournament host and second-ranked Maryville is third with 60 points. The Saints also have two wrestlers in the finals. This is just the fourth season for the Maryville wrestling program.
The finals are set for 7 p.m. Central on Saturday.
St. Cloud State earned a huge victory when heavyweight Austin Goergen powered in for a late takedown to rally past Tiffin’s Garrett Grey 9-7 in the semifinals. Goergen was down 4-0 early in the bout.
2014 champion Romero Cotton of Nebraska-Kearney reached his third straight final at 197. Cotton scored an overtime takedown to edge McKendree’s Julian Smith 3-1 in the semis. The junior placed second as a freshman. Cotton will meet Newberry’s Huston Evans in the finals.
UNK junior Daniel DeShazer earned his third straight trip to the 133 finals, earning a 2-1 semifinal win over Ouachita Baptist’s Nate Rodriguez. DeShazer will meet Ashland’s Michael Labry in the finals.
“This is showtime,” DeShazer said. “I need to turn up the tempo and be relentless in the finals. I need to come out and be aggressive. I’ve been up there before and I’m comfortable in that position. I can’t let my team down. I need to win it for them.”
Two-time NCAA champion and top-ranked Joey Davis of Notre Dame advanced to the 174 finals against two-time All-American Zeb Wahle of Maryville. The junior is 31-0 this season and 107-0 in his career.
“(Notre Dame coach Frank Romano) told me not to be cautious, to go to my attacks,” Davis said. “Our team has worked extremely hard this year and to see them not come here and perform like I know they are capable it hurts. I’m going to do what I have to do to represent my school and to bring them another national championship.”
Wahle has dropped a one-point match and an overtime decision to Davis in his career.
“I’m actually really excited,” Wahle said about the finals rematch. “When he beat me the last time, he yelled out ‘100-0.’ I’ll be ready tonight. I’ve had a really good attitude about this season and about this tournament.”
Anderson’s Sean Turner rallied from a 5-0 deficit to earn a wild 12-10 win over returning champion Jonatan Rivera of Notre Dame in the 157 semifinals.
Returning champions Daniel Ownbey of UNC-Pembroke (141), Frank Cagnina of Central Missouri (149) and Ziad Haddad of Kutztown (285) also reached the finals.
Returning runner-up finishers back in the finals include Augustana’s T.J. North (125) and Central Oklahoma’s Chris Watson (165).
NCAA Div. II Championships
March 13-14, Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, Mo.
Top 10 teams
St. Cloud State 80.5, Nebraska-Kearney 68.5, Maryville 60, Mercyhurst 58, Ouachita Baptist 51.5, Notre Dame 46, McKendree 44.5, Western State 40, Tiffin 37.5, Colorado Mesa 30, Lindenwood 30
Medal matchups
125 pounds
1st – Tim Prescott (St. Cloud State) vs. T.J. North (Augustana)
3rd – Gerald Huff (Adams State) dec. Da’Wayne Robertson (Minnesota State Mankato), 13-8 SV1
5th – Dustin Warner (Wheeling Jesuit) dec. Joshua Kieffer (Indianapolis), 9-4
7th – Ivan McClay (Notre Dame) dec. Willie Bohince (Mercyhurst), 4-3
133 pounds
1st – Michael Labry (Ashland) vs. Daniel DeShazer (Nebraska-Kearney)
3rd – Nate Rodriguez (Ouachita Baptist) dec. Dakota Bauer (Maryville), 6-1
5th – Mike Rhone (St. Cloud State) dec. Joseph Calderone (Long Island), 6-3
7th – Nick Crume (Indianapolis) dec. Blake Bosch (Minnesota State Moorhead), 8-6 SV1
141 pounds
1st – Corbin Bennetts (Western State) vs. Daniel Ownbey (UNC-Pembroke)
3rd – Maurice Miller (Notre Dame) dec. Michael Screptock (Tiffin University), 3-2
5th – Keith Surber (Nebraska-Kearney) dec. Josh Myers (Ouachita Baptist), 8-4
7th – Darren Wynn (McKendree) pinned Kyle Webb (Lindenwood), 1:42
149 pounds
1st – Frank Cagnina (Central Missouri) vs. Terrel Wilbourn (Lindenwood)
3rd – Destin McCauley (Nebraska-Kearney) dec. Nick Goebel (University of Findlay), 3-2
5th – Scott Bosak (Belmont Abbey) dec. Jeremy Landowski (Mercyhurst), 8-3
7th – Larry Bomstad (St. Cloud State) pinned Brent Fickel (Ashland), 1:13
157 pounds
1st – Sean Turner (Anderson) vs. James Martinez (Colorado Mesa)
3rd – Clint Poster (St. Cloud State) dec. Jonatan Rivera (Notre Dame College), 7-6
5th – Derrick Weller (Lindenwood) dec. Francis Mizia (Mercyhurst), 8-6 SV1
7th – Matt Martoccio (Kutztown) dec. Greg Hegarty (Maryville), 6-4
165 pounds
1st – Chris Watson (Central Oklahoma) vs. Matt Vandermeer (Lake Erie)
3rd – Gabe Fogarty (St. Cloud State) dec. Devin Aguirre (Nebraska-Kearney), 12-6
5th – Nick Fishback (Wisconsin-Parkside) dec. JaCobi Jones (Colorado State University-Pueblo), 16-9
7th – Cody Quinn (Minnesota State Mankato) dec. Nicolas Haferkamp (McKendree), 10-2
174 pounds
1st – Joey Davis (Notre Dame) vs. Zeb Wahle (Maryville)
3rd – August Mizia (Mercyhurst) dec. Jacob Begin (Southwest Minnesota State), 1-0
5th – Archie Williams (Central Missouri) dec. John Blankenship (Pitt-Johnstown), 8-5
7th – Payne Hatter (Ouachita Baptist) pinned Randy Boerner (Colorado Mesa), 2:20
184 pounds
1st – Nick Burghardt (Maryville) vs. Dallas Smith (Ouachita Baptist)
3rd – John Vogt (McKendree) dec. Terrence Smith (Shorter), 9-4
5th – Jacob Waste (California Baptist) dec. Dakota DesLauriers (Mercyhurst University), 3-2
7th – Kyle Piatt (Western State) dec. Caleb Rivera (Limestone College), 13-2
197 pounds
1st – Romero Cotton (Nebraska-Kearney) vs. Huston Evans (Newberry)
3rd – Julian Smith (McKendree) dec. Jacob Cramer (Tiffin), 8-6 SV2
5th – Samuel Mangum (Western State) dec. Jayd Docken (Augustana), 3-2
7th – Ryan Beltz (Maryville) dec. Joe Gomez (Northern State), 9-3
285 pounds
1st – Ziad Haddad (Kutztown) vs. Austin Goergen (St. Cloud State)
3rd – Jack Page (Fort Hays State) dec. Garrett Grey (Tiffin), 13-2
5th – Andy Welton (Mercyhurst) dec. Chris Giddens (UNC Pembroke), 7-2
7th – Peter Anguiano (Western State) dec. Jordan Passehl (Colorado Mesa), 3-1
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