Wartburg dominated the field from start to finish Saturday in Dubuque at the Five Flags Center. Powered by 9 finalists and 7 champions the Knights managed for 167.5 team points, out racing 2nd place Luther with 127.5. Wartburg looks to continue its tight grip on the Division III wresting world, pushing nine qualifiers through.
Starting off at 125 pounds, sixth ranked Jake Agnitsch of Wartburg gunned down Central’s seventh ranked Daniel Page 3-2 in the finals. Coe’s Jan Rosenburg grabbed third place.
At 133 pounds Wartburg’s sixth ranked Connor Campo dominated Luther’s fifth ranked Evan Obert for the title, 11-4. Nathan Shank of Cornell earned third place and an NCAA championship bid.
141 pounds provided perhaps the most drama of the day, as Buena Vista freshman Nashid Barrow pinned then undefeated and fifth ranked Nick Steger in the semifinals. Second ranked Drew Van Anrooy of Luther brought home the title at the weight, defeating Burrow in the finals 8-5. Nick Steger then beat Wartburg’s Kaz Onoo for third, and getting an NCAA championship bid.
Wartburg’s second ranked Kenny Martin waltzed through the 149 field with first period falls in the semi finals and finals. Dakota Gray of Luther upset tenth ranked Trevor Engle of Cornell in the semi-finals. Engle came back for third place and qualified for the NCAA championships.
In a battle of ranked opponents fifth ranked Loras senior Steven DeWitt defeated former All American Drew Wagenhoffer at 157. Reed Van Anrooy of Luther came back to earn a third place finish and earns an NCAA championship.
In the feature matchup of the night second ranked Andrew Steiert of Wartburg defeated first ranked Farai Sewera of Coe 5-3 in overtime. Blake Letney of Luther nabbed a third place finish.
Brent Hamm Gave Cornell their only champion with a 3-2 decision over second ranked Brandon Welter of Wartburg at 174 pounds. Tenth ranked Coe freshman Ryan Harrington advances to continue wrestling with a third place finish.
Devin Peterson of Wartburg came in unranked, but made a statement this weekend by earning a championship in one of the most competitive weight classes in 184. Returning All American Ryan Sheldon of Coe pinned third ranked Jayden DeVilbiss in the semi finals. DeVilbiss came back strong to gain third.
Wartburg’s sixth ranked Gerard Roman won the championship at 197 with a wild win over eighth ranked Matt Seabold of Central 12-7. Coe’s returning All American Donnie Horner will once again earn an NCAA championship with a third place finish.
Fourth ranked Benjamin Nagle of Wartburg, defeating Jack Seaman of Augustana, won heavyweight. Connor Herman of Luther is headed to the NCAA championship after a fall in his third place match.
Team Scores
1. Wartburg College 167.5
2. Luther College 127.5
3. Coe College 104.5
4. Cornell College 101.5
5. Loras College 100.0
6. Augustana College (Illinois) 67.5
7. Dubuque 65.5
8. Central College (Iowa) 57.5
9. Buena Vista University 36.0
10. Simpson College 21.5
11. Huntingdon 2.5
12. Knox College 0.5
13. University Of the Ozarks 0.0
NCAA Tournament Qualifiers (top 3)
Wartburg (9)
Luther (7)
Coe (5)
Cornell (3)
Central (2)
Loras (2)
Buena Vista (1)
Augustana (1)
Link to full results and brackets: