Joining the field was Iowa State, Iowa, South Dakota State, William Penn University, Northern Iowa, Buena Vista, Nebraska, Ellsworth CC, and Kansas Newman. The tournament was action packed and the Vikings faired very well among some of the nation's top competition.
Leading the way for the Vikings was senior Terrence Almond. Almond, coming off his first open championship last weekend at the Daktronics Open at South Dakota State University competed in a stacked 141 pound weight bracket. Almond received the No. 2 seed despite the presence of many highly ranked Division I wrestlers. Almond finished the day with a 5-1 record and a third place honor. En route, Almond defeated Jeff Slaughter from the University of Nebraska by fall. Earl Robinson of William Penn was Almonds next foe whom fell 11-4. Moving onto the quarter-finals Almond faced and defeated University of Nebraska-Omaha's Yasim Bribieseca 3-1 in overtime. In the semi-finals, Almond took on Mitch Mueller of Iowa State. Mueller is currently ranked No. 20 in Division I. Mueller narrowly defeated Almond by a score of 4-3.
In the consolation rounds, Almond won by injury default over Zach McCray of Wartburg. In the consolation finals, Almond finished the day with a huge win over C.J. Ettelson of Northern Iowa 3-2. Ettleson was the No. 1 seed in the tournament and is currently ranked No. 8 in the country in Division I. Almond is now 10-1 on the year.
The only other Dana Viking making the semi-finals was heavyweight Jesse Boggs. Boggs met up with Blake Gillis of Wartburg in the semi-finals. Boggs finished the day 3-2 and one match away from placing. Wade Jordan fell to eventual tournament champion and No. 8 ranked Kurt Backes of Iowa State in the quarter-finals 7-5. Jordan lost a close decision to Andrew Anderson of Northern Iowa 8-5 in the consolation semi-finals finishing one match from placing. Jordan did defeat a pair of former Nebraska prep stars along the way. In the consolation rounds, Jordan racked up victories over former Plattsmouth star and current Nebraska freshman Cameron Browne 11-5. Jordan also defeated for Omaha-Skutt state champion and current Nebraska freshman Nick Schaffer 4-1.
The Vikings will continue action this Friday and Saturday. Friday the Vikings will open up their dual competition by hosting NAIA Oklahoma City University on November 17th at 7:00 pm in Gardner-Hawks Center. On Saturday November 18th, the Vikings will join the other four national championships teams from 2006 at the annual Kaufman-Brand Open at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Wrestling starts at 9:00 am.
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