St. Cloud State University

Wrestling

WRESTLING: SCSU Wrestling Releases 2009-10 Schedule

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Derek Skala (right)

St. Cloud State University head coach Steve Costanzo has released the 2009-2010 SCSU Wrestling Schedule.  The schedule will have the Huskies facing top teams from NCAA Division I, II and III.  Coach Costanzo is beginning his 4^th year as head coach and has upgraded the schedule significantly to ensure his team sees the best competition possible in order to prepare for the 2010 NCAA Division II Championships. 

The 2009-2010 schedule will see the Huskies wrestle in front of their home fans on 6 different occasions.  One of those home dates will see the Huskies face off with returning Division II national champion Nebraska-Omaha.  The Huskies will also face off with conference rivals Southwest Minnesota State and Upper Iowa in their home gym. 

"We are very excited about the competitiveness of this year’s schedule," Costanzo said.

The Huskies open their schedule on November 14, when they travel to Evanston, Il to take part in the Northwestern Duals.  These duals will feature Division I and Big 10 power Northwestern University and Eastern Michigan.  The Huskies will also wrestle North Central which is a Division III school located in Naperville, Ill. - which lists among its alumni legendary athletic media relations professional Tom Nelson. 

When asked about the Northwestern Duals graduate assistant coach Chris Heilman said, "Our guys are excited for this opportunity.  We return a veteran group of guys who are hungry, they want to wrestle the best!" 

Upon returning from the Northwestern tournament, the Huskies will travel north to Moorhead to take part in the Cobber Open.  The Huskies had 5 champions, 4 runner-ups and 8 other place winners last year at this event. 

Also new to this year's schedule will be the UW-La Crosse Duals held in La Crosse, Wi on 12-5-09.  The Huskies expect to receive 4 dual matches at this event.  One of the duals will pit the Huskies against Division III power and host team UW-La Crosse. 

Wrapping up the Huskies pre-Christmas schedule will be the Husky Open.  The Husky Open also serves as Parent's Day for the SCSU Wrestling program.  The Husky Open will feature top wrestlers from Division I, II and III programs. 

"The Husky Open is a great way to cap off a very competitive early season schedule," said graduate assistant coach Cyrus Wainwright. 

One of the highlights of the SCSU schedule will be addition of the Midlands Tournament in late December in Evanston, Ill.  The Midlands tournament is one of the premiere tournaments in the country.  Elite wrestlers from all divisions along with World and Olympic class wrestlers take part in this legendary tournament. 

The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Huskies after the Midlands. 

For the second straight year St. Cloud State has been invited to take part in the Division II National Duals on January 9-10 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  The top 16 teams in Division II are invited to this 2-day event.  Along with the Division II portion the National Duals also features Division I and Division III programs along with NAIA, Junior College and Women’s programs. 

"It is an honor to be invited to the National Duals.  The National Duals is the most electrifying wrestling tournament in the country and our team is fired up for this event," said Costanzo. 

The month of January will see the Huskies compete on 6 different occasions.  Following the National Duals the Huskies will host a 4-match home stretch in Halenbeck Hall.  The Huskies will wrestle UW-Eau Claire and Southwest Minnesota State on back-to-back days on Jan. 15 and Jan. 16. 

The following week the Huskies will do battle with NSIC foe Augustana College on Jan. 22, and defending National Champion Nebraska-Omaha on Jan. 23.  Coach Steve Costanzo knows that wrestling two powerhouse programs on back-to-back days will test his Husky team. 

"Wrestling outstanding programs like Augustana and Omaha will help prepare our team for the NCAA tournament in March.  I am excited to be able to bring this high level of wrestling to central Minnesota for all our fans," Costanzo said.

The Huskies will wrap up the month of January when they travel to Moorhead to do battle with NSIC rival Minnesota State Moorhead on Jan. 29. 

The Huskies will storm into February by making a road trip to face off with NSIC foes University of Mary (2/5/10) and Northern State University (2/6/10).  The Huskies will host their final home match of the year on Valentine's Day (2/14/10) against conference rival Upper Iowa University.  The Upper Iowa dual will also serve as Senior Night and Prep Night for the Huskies. 

The final dual of the year will have the SCSU matmen face off with the defending NSIC conference champion Minnesota State  Mavericks on Feb. 19.  Last season the Mavericks placed first in the Super Regional III as the Huskies finished 2^nd. 

Post season competition will have the Huskies traveling west to Aberdeen, SD.  Northern State will serve as the host site for the NCAA Division II Super Regional III on Feb., 28.  The Super Regional serves as the qualifying tournament for the NCAA Championships.  Wrestlers must place in the top 4 at the regional to advance to the NCAA’s.  When asked about the importance of this tournament Coach Costanzo stated,

"All of our training comes down to this 1 day.  If you want to be an All-American or National Champion you need to show up ready to go on February 28," Costanzo said. 

The 2010 NCAA Division II tournament will be held at the University Nebraska-Omaha on March 12-13.  Wrestlers will battle through this two day event for the chance  to become an All-American.  Last season the Huskies finished with 3 All-Americans and an 8^th place team finish.   Listed below is complete 2009-10 schedule.  Tickets for all matches can be purchased at the door.

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