University of Minnesota Athletics
Three Gopher Rookies Earn Titles in Worthington
1/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
The University of Minnesota wrestling team was officially off this weekend, but the program did send 11 wrestlers to the unattached Minnesota West Open on Saturday, and three Gopher freshman returned to the Twin Cities with individual titles. Matt Mincey (141 pounds), Ryland Geiger (197 pounds) and Atticus Disney (Hwt.), each likely to serve a redshirt season this year for the Gophers, captured their respective weight class crown. Cody Yohn (174 pounds) and Austin Enoch (141 pounds) each finished as runners-up in their weight classes on Saturday.
Two weeks after the Gophers’ group of prospective redshirts and reserves competed at the Flash Tournament in Dubuque, Iowa, the group traveled to Worthington, Minn this past weekend.
Geiger claimed his second individual title in as many tournaments with a 3-0 performance at 197 pounds. The Scappoose, Ore. native notched three consecutive major decisions to claim the tournament crown and improve his season record to 19-3.
Disney was equally dominant in the heavyweight bracket, recording pins in two of his four matches to grab his third individual championship of the 2008-09 season. The true freshman heavyweight also won titles at the Kaufman-Brand Open (Nov. 21) and the Flash Open (Jan. 3). Disney currently owns a seven-match unbeaten streak and his 11 pins are second on the team behind Jayson Ness’ 14.
Mincey’s title at 141 pounds marked the first individual crown of his career. He recorded pins in his first two matches and a major decision in the semifinals before besting teammate Enoch with a 6-4 decision in the final. He is 15-6 this season.
On the varsity side, the Gophers return to dual meet action this weekend when they travel to Tempe, Ariz. to take on Arizona State on Friday in an 8:00 p.m. (CT) start. The team will then return to the Twin Cities for its Big Ten opener against Michigan State on Sunday afternoon at the Sports Pavilion. Tickets for the 2:00 p.m. dual are still available and can be purchased by calling 1-800-U-GOPHER or by contacting the Gopher Ticket Office at 612.624.8080.
-UM-
Steven Avalos ∙ 0-1; DNP (174 pounds)
Ryan Blake ∙ 1-2; DNP (141 pounds)
Atticus Disney ∙ 4-0; 1st Place (Hwt)
Austin Enoch ∙ 4-1; 2nd Place (141 pounds)
Ryland Geiger ∙ 3-0; 1st Place (197 pounds)
Joel Hill ∙ 0-2; DNP (165 pounds)
Matt Mincey ∙ 4-0; 1st Place (141 pounds)
Joe Murphy ∙ 0-1; DNP (141 pounds)
Jared Rickert ∙ 3-2; DNP (157 pounds)
Cody Yohn ∙ 3-1; 2nd Place (174 pounds)
David Zilverburg ∙ 2-1; DNP (141 pounds)
Players Mentioned
