Kearney, NE (NSUWolves.com) – The (RV) Northern State University wrestling team placed three in both the Elite and Amateur brackets at Saturday’s Younes Hospitality Open. Elite bracket podium finishers included Sloan Johannsen, Teagan Block, and Damen Pape, while Rayden Zens, Griffin Lundeen, and Tanner Meyers placed in the Amateur bracket. The open featured over 800 competitors from all levels of collegiate wrestling.
HOW IT HAPPENED, NORTHERN’S PODIUM FINISHERS
- Sloan Johannsen was the top finisher for the Wolves in the Elite bracket, taking fourth at 125 pounds; he tallied wins over Nick Gonzalez of Air Force (maj 17-4), John Braman of Wyoming (dec 10-3), and Bishop Murray of Nebraska Kearney (fall 6:37)
- Teagan Block placed fifth in the 133 elite bracket with wins over Quade Smith of Chadron State (dec7-3), Kevin Honas of Fort Hays (fall 1:50) and No. 9 Oran Huff of Colorado Mesa (dec 13-10 and dec 9-8)
- Damen Pape was the final Elite bracket placer, taking sixth in the 184 pound bracket with wins over Gavin Gulbranson of Augustana (TF 19-4), Joey Mushinsky of Mary (maj 15-5 and dec 7-2) and Mason Diel of Colorado School of Mines (major 16-5)
- Griffin Lundeen led the way in the amateur bracket, taking third at 157 pounds with wins over Brock Byrd of Southeast Community College (fall 1:09), Ethan Sinclair of Northeastern Junior College (TF 15-0), Marcus Caro of Colorado School of Mines (dec 2-1), and Davion King of Labette Community College (TF 15-0)
- Rayden Zens added a fourth place finish at 113 pounds with wins over Teagan Jacobs of Northeastern Junior College (fall 2:59), Devin Carter of Southwest Minnesota State (MFFL), Kyle Holtberg of Colorado Mesa (dec 8-4), and Jake Aho of Rochester Community & Technical College (fall 1:13)
- Tanner Meyers also took fourth in the 184 pound Amateur bracket with wins over Stephen Sullivan-Diaz of Augustana (fall 3:32), Kaleb Cooper of Otero College (MFFL), Michael Santos of New Mexico Highlands (TF 20-1), Triston Vande Velde of Bethany (TF 19-4), Kevin Clements of San Francisco State (dec 11-5), and Timber Parlin of Colorado School of Mines (fall 3:30)