2021-22 NSIC Wrestler, Rookie and Coach of Year Announced

3/24/2022 10:00:00 AM

For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 24, 2022
NSIC Media Relations


NSIC Wrestler of the Year
Darrell Mason (285 lbs., Jr., Chicago, Ill. / Dunbar Vocational) 
Minnesota State University, Mankato

- NCAA National Champion at 285 pounds
- Outstanding Wrestler at the National Tournament
- Super Region V Champion
- First Team All-NSIC
- Perfect 22-0 record on the season with two pins and seven major decisions 

NSIC Rookie of the Year
Reece Barnhardt (133 lbs., Fr., Bismarck, N.D. / St. Mary's Central HS) 
University of Mary

- Earned All-American honors with a fourth place finish at nationals
- Finish at nationals is highest at Division II level for any UMary wrestler
- Finished second at NCAA Division II Super Region V championship
- Finished second at 2022 Midwest Classic
- Held a 24-10 overall record and a 21–6 Division II record

NSIC Coach of the Year
Jason Reitmeier
 (19th Season)
Augustana University

- Led Augustana to a second place NSIC finish with an 8-1 record
- The eight NSIC dual wins are the most for Augustana since joining the NSIC
- Qualified eight wrestlers for the 2022 NCAA DII National Championships
- Has had an All-America honoree in 18 of his 19 seasons
- Earned his 200th career dual win this season, the most in Augustana history
- Won six duals against top-25 opponents this season

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NSIC Wrestling All-Conference teams were announced back on February 23 following the NSIC regular season schedule.  

2021-22 NSIC All-Conference
 
First Team All-Conference Wt. Yr. School Hometown
Paxton Creese 125 Fr. SCSU Shakopee, Minn.
Garrett Vos 133 R-Sr. SCSU Bonifacius, Minn. 
Joey Bianchini 141 R-Jr. SCSU Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Wyatt Turnquist 149 R-So. NSU Winner, S.D.
Anthony Herrera 157 Jr. SCSU Stansbury Park, Utah
Shane Gantz 165 R-Jr. UWP Waukesha, Wis.
Cade Mueller 174 R-Fr. AUGIE Waconia, Minn.
Caden Steffen 184 R-Jr. SMSU Zumbrota, Minn.
Noah Ryan 197 R-Sr. SCSU Kasson, Minn.
Darrell Mason 285 Jr. MSU Chicago, Ill. 
Second Team All-Conference Wt. Yr. School Hometown
Joe Arroyo 125 R-Sr. UWP Grays Lake, Ill.
Jack Huffman 133 R-So. AUGIE Omaha, Neb.
Kolton Roth 141 R-Jr. NSU Graettinger Iowa
Hunter Burnett 149 R-So. AUGIE Pipestone, Minn.
Braydon Huber 157 R-So. UMary Post Falls, Idaho
Miles Fitzgerald 165 R-Fr. AUGIE Dunnell, Minn.
Trevor Turriff 174 Sr.  MSU De Pere, Wis. 
Billy Pitzner 184 R-Sr. SCSU Jefferson, Wis.
Daniel Bishop 197 Sr. AUGIE Hinton, Iowa
Kameron Teacher 285 Sr. SCSU Columbus, Ohio
 
About the NSIC
The NSIC is a 16-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 by the merger of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men’s league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women’s league), the NSIC has flourished over the past quarter century, maturing into a 16-team union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has won 25 team national championships and crowned 90 individual national champions. For additional information, visit NorthernSun.org.

About NCAA Division II
The NCAA, the national governing body for college athletics, is a volunteer association of more than 1,000 colleges and universities that classify their athletics programs in one of three membership divisions. The 300+ institutions in NCAA Division II support a balanced approach in which student-athletes can earn scholarships based on their athletic ability, pursue their desired academic degree, and participate in all the campus and surrounding community have to offer. Division II student-athletes annually graduate at rates higher than their student body peers, and they have access to the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA’s three divisions. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms. For additional information, visit NCAA.org.

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