Wrestling
Wrestling
WRESTLING: The Great Eight: Husky National Qualifier Profiles
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Huskies at the North Regional on March 1 |
St. Cloud, Minn. – The St. Cloud State Huskies (8-5, 5-2 NSIC) had yet another tremendous year under third year head coach Steve Costanzo and now take eight wrestlers to the Division II Championships in Houston, Texas this week. Here is a look at the Husky Wrestlers that qualified (By weight class):
Josh Williams
Sr. / 133 lbs.
Hometown: Banks, Ore.
Previous School: Southwest Oregon Community College
Record: 16-6, 1 fall
RegionFinish: 2nd
National Rank: N/R
*Two-time qualifier for National Tournament
Notable Victories >
Jan. 4 / 3-2 over Francisco Villaescusa (Embry Riddle, #8 NAIA)
What does it mean to you qualifying for the national tournament?
“It’s one of many steps to that ultimate goal of a championship. It’s all about finishing a job that started when I first started wrestling 15 years ago.”
What did you take from, or learn from last year’s appearance?
“The stuff I did wrong really got exposed at the tournament last year. It also made me realize that everything adds up through the course of the year, and it has helped me to stay healthy and ready for another shot down there.”
Gabe Suarez
RS-So. / 141 lbs.
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Previous School: Cimarron Memorial HS
Record: 27-9, 3 falls
RegionFinish: Champion
National Rank: N/R
*Two-time qualifier for National Tournament
Notable Victories >
Nov. 15 / 19-7 over Mark Erickson (NDSU, D-I opponent)
Nov. 22 / 7-3 over Ben Anderson (Concordia-Moorhead, #10 D-III)
What does it mean to you qualifying for the national tournament?
“It’s always good getting to this point. It’s the first step of the process to reach my goal of winning a national championship.”
What did you take from, or learn from last year’s appearance?
“First it was very disappointing, but at the same time it was nice knowing I had three more years. It really became a motivating factor for this season and I trained harder so I wouldn’t have to feel that again.
Jake Roberts
Jr. / 149 lbs.
Hometown: Jordan, Minn.
Previous School: Augsburg College
Record: 27-9, 5 falls
RegionFinish: 2nd
National Rank: N/R
*First time at National Tournament
Notable Victories >
Feb. 19 / 7-6 over Tommy Abbott (MSU Mankato, #2 NCAA D-II)
What does it mean to you qualifying for the national tournament?
“It’s great, but for me it’s not the ultimate goal of being an All-American.”
What are your expectations for the tournament?
“I don’t really know what to expect. I know they have this festival [Division II Winter National Championships Festival] and a lot of other stuff going on, but I think it’s important to keep everything in context and realize it’s still just a wrestling match.”
John Sundgren
RS-So. / 157 lbs.
Hometown: Blaine, Minn.
Previous School: Blaine HS
Record: 32-7, 14 falls
RegionFinish: 3rd
National Rank: #7
*Two-time qualifier for National Tournament and returning All-American (8th)
Notable Victories >
Nov. 15 / 8-3 over Joseph Grygelko (Minnesota, D-I)
Nov. 15 / 14-1 over Tyler Wells (NDSU, D-1)
Jan. 4 / 14-7 over Tommy Hooper (Southern Oregon, NAIA #7)
Feb. 15 / 2-0 over Travis Eggers (Upper Iowa, NCAA D-II #8)
What does it mean to you qualifying for the national tournament?
“It’s very important to me because it’s one of the things I work all season for. I know that if I don’t qualify I don’t get the opportunity to reach my goals.”
What did you take from, or learn from last year’s appearance?
“The big thing is that I took a lot of confidence, knowing I can wrestle with anybody.
Tad Merritt
RS-Fr. / 165 lbs.
Hometown: Canby, Minn.
Previous School: Canby HS
Record: 33-5, 17 falls
RegionFinish: 3rd
National Rank: 6th
*First time at National Tournament
Notable Victories >
Nov. 15 / Fall @ 4:24 over Matt Everson, (Minnesota, D-I)
Nov. 15 / 9-4 over Tyler Johnson, (NDSU, D-I)
Dec. 13 / 7-2 over Corey Van Groll, (UW-Parkside, NCAA D-II #6)
Jan. 4 / 3-1 over Robert Davis, (Menlo, #1 NAIA and defending National Champion)
Jan. 10 / 5-3 over Justin Shannon, (Findlay, #7 NCAA D-II)
Jan. 22 / Fall @ 5:31 over Aaron Denson, (Nebraska-Omaha, #1 NCAA D-II)
What does it mean to you qualifying for the national tournament?
“It’s a big honor for me making it as freshman, after replacing a quality senior [Tom Anderson] from last year. It also means a lot being able to help get this program on its feet and in the national spotlight again.”
What are your expectations for the tournament?
“I’m going to try and wrestle like any other tournament, and I know it’s going to be important to stay calm and confident. I just really want to be a champion.”
Derek Skala
RS-So. / 174 lbs.
Hometown: Owatonna, Minn.
Previous School: Owatonna HS
Record: 24-7, 5 falls
RegionFinish: 2nd
National Rank: N/R
*Two-time qualifier for National Tournament
Notable Victories >
Nov. 15 / 12-3 over Trent Sovde, (NDSU, D-I)
Nov. 15 / 3-2 over Kaleb Young, (Minnesota, D-I)
Nov. 15 / 5-4 over Cody Yohn, (Minnesota, D-I)
What does it mean to you qualifying for the national tournament?
“It mean’s a lot to get this opportunity again after not placing last year.”
What did you take from, or learn from last year’s appearance?
“From a wrestling standpoint I know I need to finish my shots, or else I’ll get caught in some bad situations again. I didn’t play football this year, so that really helped out with my physical conditioning as I got to go through all the pre-season workouts and conditioning. Mentally, I know I’ll be much more relaxed knowing what to expect.
Brad Padgett
Sr. / 184 lbs.
Hometown: Buckley, Wash.
Previous School: Highline Community College
Record: 21-6, 3 falls
RegionFinish: Champion
National Rank: 2nd
*Two-time qualifier for National Tournament and returning All-American (4th)
Notable Victories >
Nov. 15 / 4-2 over Brent Eidenschink, (Minnesota, D-I)
Jan. 10 / 6-1 over Hiram Smith, (Findlay, NCAA D-II #4)
What does it mean to you qualifying for the national tournament?
“It really confirms I’ve been doing what I’ve supposed to be doing throughout the year.
What did you take from, or learn from last year’s appearance?
“It really taught me that I can compete with and beat anybody if I wrestle the way I can. It really gave me a lot more confidence as well.”
Luke Munkelwitz
RS-Fr. / 197 lbs.
Hometown: Forest Lake, Minn.
Previous School: Forest Lake HS
Record: 29-11, 3 falls
RegionFinish: 4th
National Rank: N/R
*First time at National Tournament
What does it mean to you qualifying for the national tournament?
“It’s awesome because it’s what you train your whole life for. Not too many red-shirt freshman get this opportunity so I’m definitely going to make the most of it.”
What are your expectations for the tournament?
“The goal is make it to that top eight [All-America status], get on a roll and wrestle well. I’m not going to worry about my opponents and just perform my best.”
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