University of Minnesota Athletics
GOLDEN GOPHER WRESTLERS DOMINATE AT THE BISON OPEN
11/11/2000 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Starting at 125 pounds, junior two-time All-American Leroy Vega won his fourth straight Bison Open title with an 8-4 decision over Matt Strawser of North Dakota State. At 133 pounds, senior Brett Lawrence defeated a fellow Golden Gopher, sophomore Ryan Lewis, 3-2 to win his third Bison Open crown.
Junior Chad Erikson won the title at 141 pounds, pinning Jake Thielbar of NDSU in 5:30. Redshirt freshman Trent Hatlevig finished in third place at 141 pounds. Sophomore All-American Jared Lawrence won his second Bison Open title at 149 pounds with a technical fall decision over Seth Webster of Augustana College 19-2. Freshman Jake Avre also placed third at 149.
Sophomore All-American Luke Becker won his second title at 157 pounds with a 10-5 decision over Golden Gopher teammate, freshman Nate Baker. Freshman Tyler Marr took third place at 157 with a 2-1 decision over Paul Carlson of NDSU.
Senior All-American Brad Pike won his fourth straight Bison Open title at 165 pounds with a 7-2 decision over Mitch Marr, a sophomore Golden Gopher. At 174 pounds, junior John Hardy defeated redshirt freshman Jacob Volkmann of Minnesota 3-1 to win his first Bison Open crown. Junior Matt Kraft finished in third place at 174 with a 5-3 overtime decision over Todd Fuller of NDSU.
Redshirt freshman Damion Hahn of Lakewood, N.J., won his second 184- pound title with an 8-5 decision over Steve Saxlund of NDSU. At 197 pounds, junior Owen Elzen won his second Bison Open crown with a 15-0 technical fall decision over Lee Hiltner of North Dakota State. Freshman Eli Ross placed third at 197. The Golden Gophers fell short of the sweep as sophomore heavyweight Mike Flanagan finished in eighth place.
In the redshirt/freshman division, freshman Kiel Hutchins lost to Kelly Latting of Truman State University by a 7-5 decision in the 157-pound weight class.
The Golden Gopher wrestling team is next in action Saturday, November 18 in a dual meet against North Dakota State in Fargo, N.D. at 7:00 p.m. Several Minnesota wrestlers will also compete in the Omaha Open next weekend.
