California Baptist won the Super Region IV titleLAS VEGAS, N.M. -- For the second year in a row, No. 4-ranked California Baptist University won the NCAA Division II Super Region IV Championship, with three Lancers winning individual titles and six advancing to the NCAA Division II Championship.
CBU won its second team championship with 114.5 points, just edging out second-place University of Nebraska at Kearny by 3.5 points (111.0 points). Adams State took third with 90 points.
Andrew Schulte (141 pounds), Daxton Gordon (149 pounds) and Nolan Kistler (174 pounds) led the Lancers, each winning individual titles.
"Winning at the individual and team levels just means that we have something special on this team," said Kistler. "It legitimatizes all the hard work and extra hours we've committed to the sport. It demonstrates a coaching staff that leads its team to win and finally, it is gives the whole team confidence going into finals knowing that God is with us and has blessed this program."
Fifteen seconds into the championship bout against Brock Thumm (Chadron State), Schulte grabbed a takedown to take an early lead. He went into the third with a 6-4 cushion and finished strong with another takedown to win the championship with an 8-4 decision.
"What's important to me individually is knowing I give my best efforts in any circumstances," said Schulte. "And I approach the team victory with a grateful heart. I feel extremely blessed to be able to compete next to such admirable young men."
Gordon, who ranks fifth in D-II at 149, knew he would be in for a battle as he took on fourth-ranked Efe Osaghae of Fort Hays State. Osaghae tied it up 4-4 early in the third with a takedown, but Gordon broke through the hold with 38 seconds left and held on for the 5-4 victory.
Second-ranked Kistler kept up his domination with his 16th-straight victory in the championship bout. He grabbed a takedown early and finished with a 4-1 decision, only allowing Western State Colorado's Brandon Supernaw, who ranks third at 174, a point from an escape.
Third-ranked Nick Fiegener took second at 184 pounds, battling to a sudden death 3-1 defeat. When time expired in the third, Fiegener and Colorado State-Pueblo's JaVaughn Perkins were even 1-1, but it was Perkins who would get the first takedown in overtime to win the bout.
Fourth-ranked Christian Smith grabbed a spot on the podium at 165 pounds after winning the third-place bout in dominating fashion. He opened the day with a 10-4 decision over Mason Thompson (Central Oklahoma) to advance to the third-place match. Smith capped the day with a 14-6 major decision over Jason Buhr (Colorado Mesa).
Sixth-ranked Garrett Strang also earned himself a ticket to the D-II championship by finishing in fourth in the 197-pound bracket. He opened the day with a pin in 6:18 to advance to the third-place match. Strang dropped the bout 6-1, but pinned Trey Schlender (Nebraska-Kearney) in 2:07 to secure fourth place and a trip to the NCAA championship.
Zach Schrader just missed out on qualifying, taking fifth overall in the heavyweight bracket. He opened the day by dropping a close 3-1 decision, but bounced back with a 6-3 decision over Rulon Taylor (Chadron State) to advance to the fourth-place match.
Adam Velasquez battled in the 133-pound consolation bracket, but ultimately had to drop out due to injury.
The six Lancers will look to build on last year's third-place finish at the D-II Championship, held March 9-10 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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