By: NSU Sports Information
Bracket
NSU vs Central Oklahoma
NSU vs Truman State
NSU vs Augustana
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Four pins, a technical fall and a major decision victory led Northern State to their first ever team victory at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals tournament Saturday afternoon in a 39-12 victory over Truman State in the consolation bracket of the prestigious tournament.
The Wolves started off the day with a 29-10 loss to sixth-seeded and seventh-ranked Central Oklahoma, falling into the consolation bracket to face TSU. The two teams traded wins by fall in the first four matches of the contest with NSU redshirt freshman Anthony Bruno and sophomore Ian Muirhead earning pins at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively.
The Bulldogs responded with pins of their own at 141 and 149 pounds, but NSU rattled off victories in the remaining six matches of the contest. Blake Lundgren picked up a pin at 165 pounds, as did returning national champion Matt Meuleners at 285 pounds. Donnie Bowden blanked his opponent for the major decision and Chad Gibson earned a technical fall victory to seal the deal.
The Wolves were ousted from the tournament by fellow NSIC opponent Augustana, the fifth seed in the tournament and the sixth-ranked team in the country. The Vikings won the first five matches of that contest before Lundgren earned a 4-2 decision at 165 pounds. Gibson pinned Sean Derry at 184 pounds and Meuleners picked up a forfeit victory at 285 for the Wolves’ final points of the 15-25 loss.
Meuleners went 3-0 in his matches for the Wolves, while Bowden, Bruno, Lungren and Gibson each won two of three bouts on the day.
The appearance in the National Duals was a first under head coach Pat Timm. NSU earned the prestigious invitation by virtue of their 15th place at the 2010 NCAA Division II national tournament.