University of Minnesota Athletics
Sanders Wins at NWCA All-Star Event
11/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Fullerton , Calif. - University of Minnesota Wrestling sophomore Zach Sanders competed at the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Star Classic on Sunday (Nov. 22), and earned an exciting 7-5 victory.
The crowd at the Titan Gym at Cal State Fullerton was standing room only and in excess of 4,000, and saw a great comeback win on display from fourth ranked Sanders.
The Wabasha, Minn. native was matched up with No. 5 James Nicholson of Old Dominion, a familiar opponent. The two met last season in the NCAA Tournament, with Sanders earning a 5-4 second round win.
This time it was Nicholson who looked as if he would have the upper hand, as he led 5-3 late in the third period.
Trailing by two, Sanders first used a reversal, and then a near fall with just 25 seconds left to take a 7-5 lead on his way to the victory.
The annual NWCA All-Star Classic was held in California for the first time, in part as a fund-raiser for Fullerton's endangered program.
Sanders and the Gophers will return to the mat on Saturday, Nov. 28 to host Cal State Bakersfield in their first dual of the season. The Gophers and Roadrunners will get under way at 7:00 p.m.
All-Star Results
125 - Zach Sanders (Minnesota) dec. James Nicholson (Old Dominion), 7-5
133 - Daniel Dennis (Iowa) dec. Steve Bell (Maryland), 9-8
141 - Alex Krom (Maryland) dec. Adin Duenas (Cal State Fullerton), 8-0
149 - Kyle Borshoff (American) dec. Lance Palmer (Ohio State), 3-2
157 - Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska) dec. Matt Moley (Bloomsburg), 10-4
165 - Jonathan Reader (Iowa State) maj. Dec. Andrew Rendos (Bucknell) , 11-2
174 - Stephen Dwyer (Nebraska) dec. Chris Henrich (Virginia), 7-6
184 - Max Askren (Missouri) dec. Josh Patterson (Binghamton), 14-7
197 - Jake Varner (Iowa State) dec. Craig Brister (Nebraska), 5-3
285 - Mitch Monteiro (Cal State Bakersfield) dec. David Zabriskie (Iowa State), 4-3
Featured bout
184 - Zach Giesen (Stanford) dec. Enoch Francois (Cal Baptist), 3-1 OT
Players Mentioned
