The Minnesota wrestling team took home five titles in the nation’s largest collegiate meet Saturday, with three wrestlers remaining perfect this season.
up next
Northeast Duals
WHEN: TBA Saturday
WHERE: Albany, N.Y.
Redshirt freshman Jayson Ness (125), junior Manuel Rivera (141), junior C.P. Schlatter (157), junior Gabe Dretsch (174), and freshman Scott Glasser (165) all took home titles in their respective weight classes.
Coach J Robinson said the weekend’s performance was impressive.
“I was pleased with our performance, particularly the younger guys,” he said. “We wrestled with a lot of emotion and aggression this weekend.”
Ness, Rivera, Schlatter and Dretsch took home titles in the Elite Division (over 20 years old) while Glasser brought home the title in the Amateur Division (20-and-under).
Schlatter said despite some improvements that can be made, the team looked good, especially in its endurance.
“That’s really our strong point,” he said. “When other teams are wearing down, we’re still going 100 percent.”
Ness, a Bloomington native, took the 125 title with a 12-2 major decision over North Dakota State’s Eric Hoffman. The major decision was one of two for Ness in his four wins.
Rivera, Schlatter and Dretsch kept their perfect records intact with their titles Saturday.
Rivera took home the 141 title with his 6-4 defeat of Nebraska’s Dominick Moyer, while Schlatter defeated Northern Iowa’s Moza Fay 3-2 in the 157-pound title match.
Dretsch took the 174-pound crown with a 3-1 triumph over Nebraska’s Brandon Bowne.
With Glasser’s 165-pound title, he has now taken two titles in his first two tournaments at Minnesota.
Robinson said Glasser’s early performances have been vital to his confidence.
“I think the future holds a lot for Scott,” he said. “He’s really showing he can compete early on.”
Aside from the five titles taken over the weekend, the Gophers had four wrestlers – sophomore Tyler Safratowich (157), freshman Mike Thorn (133), freshman Joe Nord (HWT) and freshman Brent Eidenschink (197) – place in the top five.
Safratowich claimed fifth place in his weight division, while Thorn and Nord placed third in their respective weight divisions.
Eidenschink took fourth in his weight division after posting a 4-2 record.
Dretsch said the freshman class has been wrestling tough throughout the first two weekends.
“They’re a real tough, real focused group,” he said. “This weekend was good for them to really face some tough competition.”
Defending national champion Dustin Schlatter (149) and NCAA runner-up Roger Kish (184) did not wrestle over the weekend in preparation for Monday’s National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic in Dallas.
Next up for Minnesota is the Northeast Duals, Saturday in Albany, N.Y., its first dual meet of the season.
Robinson said the team can build on Saturday’s performance heading into next week.
“The season is young,” he said. “But I already see a lot of bright spots.”
