Five Vikings won individual championships: 125- Burke Barnes (Kimberly, Idaho), 133-Jimmy Rollins (Woodbury, N.J.), 157-Ben Henderson (Federal Way, Wash.), 165-Trent Leichleiter (Harvard, Neb.), and 197- Blair Alderman (Spokane, Wash.).
All 12 Viking wrestlers placed in the top four of their respective weight classes with seven Vikings making their way into the finals.
At 125 pounds, Barnes dominated the competition with three falls on his way to the title. Rollins continued his winning ways by recording two falls, including a fall in the 133-pound finals over No. 3 ranked Mike Miller of Bacone.
Henderson recorded two falls, a major decision and finished with a decision over Brandon Graham of William Penn in the 157-pound finals. At 165 pounds, Leichleiter claimed his first regional title and his 100th college victory in the finals with a 4-1 victory over TJ Stuart of William Penn. Alderman (197) stayed on track in a dominating fashion with two falls and a major decision. This is the second regional title for Alderman.
Terrence Almond (141, Pelham, Ga.) and Anthony Haukenberry (149, Buckley, Wash.) both finished in the runner-up position. Almond scored three falls, but then lost in overtime to No. 3 ranked Bryan Odle of Bacone. Haukenberry, the 2004 NAIA National Champion, made his way to the finals with a huge revenge victory over No. 2 ranked Brad Stockton of Waldorf 7-3 in the semi-finals. Haukenberry lost in the finals to No. 1 ranked Darren Cotton.
Other placers for the Vikings included third-place finishes from Craig Trampe (125, Ord, Neb.), Scott Taylor (Arapahoe, Neb.), and Marshall Marquardt (174, Altoona, Iowa). Sonny Silva (133, Kimberly, Idaho) and Jason Lozier (149, Omaha, Neb.) both finished in fourth place.
The Vikings will vie for Dana's first ever NAIA team national championship in two weeks. The 49th Annual NAIA National Wrestling tournament takes place March 3-4 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Top 5 Teams:
1. Dana, 197.50
2. William Penn, 112.50
3. Morningside, 94.50
4. Bacone, 93.50
5. Waldorf, 76.00
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