Lopez Named All-American From Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, SD (NSUWolves.com) [Day 1] – Three Northern State University wrestlers took on the NCAA Championships from the Denny Sanford Premier Center on Friday, each competing in the first national meet of their careers. Sloan Johannsen and Griffin Lundeen closed out their seasons as National Qualifiers, while Rudy Lopez advanced to the second day of competition, earning a top-8 spot and All-American honors.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Johannsen opened with a pig-tail match, defeating Bryson Humphries of Drury in a 6-0 decision
The sophomore fell to No. 8 Logan Shallot of Gannon in a 3-2 decision, however bounced back for a 11-3 major decision victory over Cole Hunt of Montevallo
His championships run concluded with a 7-3 decision loss to No. 7 Quade Smith of Chadron State
Lopez opened his day with a 4-2 decision win over Gavin Garcia of UIndy, before fall to No. 4 Matthew Sarbo of Pitt-Johnston in the quarterfinal round by a score of 7-3
The graduate student rallied back, defeating a familiar foe in Ethen Doty, who he faced in the Super Region V title match, in a 4-3 decision
Lundeen matched up against No. 3 Aaden Valdez of Adams State in the opening round, falling in a 5-0 decision
The sophomore responded, recording a 7-3 decision win over Reid Nobel of Lander in the first consolation round, before falling to No. 5 Nico Taddy of West Liberty in a 6-4 decision

FULL DAY ONE RESULTS
125 – Sloan Johannsen (29-8) scored 2.5 team points.
Prelim – Sloan Johannsen (NSU) 29-8 won by decision over Bryson Humphries (Drury) 20-11 (Dec 6-0)
Champ. Round 1 – #8 Logan Sallot (Gannon) 23-7 won by decision over Sloan Johannsen (NSU) 29-8 (Dec 3-2)
Cons. Round 1 – Sloan Johannsen (NSU) 29-8 won by major decision over Cole Hunt (Montevallo) 32-4 (MD 11-3)
Cons. Round 2 – #7 Quade Smith (Chadron St.) 25-6 won by decision over Sloan Johannsen (NSU) 29-8 (Dec 7-3)

149 – Rudy Lopez (21-5) scored 4.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – #5 Rudy Lopez (NSU) 21-5 won by decision over Gavin Garcia (UIndy) 23-10 (Dec 4-2)
Quarterfinal – #4 Matthew Sarbo (Pitt-Johnstown) 27-2 won by decision over #5 Rudy Lopez (NSU) 21-5 (Dec 7-3)
Cons. Round 2 – #5 Rudy Lopez (NSU) 21-5 won by decision over Ethen Doty (Upper Iowa) 25-8 (Dec 4-3)

157 – Griffin Lundeen (16-10) scored 0.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – #3 Aaden Valdez (Adams St.) 25-2 won by decision over Griffin Lundeen (NSU) 16-10 (Dec 5-0)
Cons. Round 1 – Griffin Lundeen (NSU) 16-10 won by decision over Reid Noble (Lander) 14-10 (Dec 7-3)
Cons. Round 2 – #5 Nico Taddy (West Liberty) 33-8 won by decision over Griffin Lundeen (NSU) 16-10 (Dec 6-4)

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Sioux Falls, SD (NSUWolves.com) [Day 2] – Rudy Lopez closed out the NCAA Championships on Saturday, finished seventh in the 149-pound bracket. The graduate student went 22-7 this season, becoming the 49th All-American in program history.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Lopez faced off against Angel Florez of Adams State in the third consolation round to open Saturday, falling in a 4-2 decision
He moved into the seventh place match against Brennan Watkins of King, securing an 8-5 win in the first sudden victory round
Lopez is only the second 149-pound placer for the Wolves at the national meet, following Wyatt Turnquist with a third place finish in 2023
The Erie, Colorado native went 3-2 from the Championships, scoring 5.5 teams points for Northern State

FULL RESULTS
125 – Sloan Johannsen (29-8) scored 2.5 team points.
Prelim – Sloan Johannsen (NSU) 29-8 won by decision over Bryson Humphries (Drury) 20-11 (Dec 6-0)
Champ. Round 1 – #8 Logan Sallot (Gannon) 23-7 won by decision over Sloan Johannsen (NSU) 29-8 (Dec 3-2)
Cons. Round 1 – Sloan Johannsen (NSU) 29-8 won by major decision over Cole Hunt (Montevallo) 32-4 (MD 11-3)
Cons. Round 2 – #7 Quade Smith (Chadron St.) 25-6 won by decision over Sloan Johannsen (NSU) 29-8 (Dec 7-3)

149 – Rudy Lopez (22-7) placed 7th and scored 5.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – #5 Rudy Lopez (NSU) 21-5 won by decision over Gavin Garcia (UIndy) 23-10 (Dec 4-2)
Quarterfinal – #4 Matthew Sarbo (Pitt-Johnstown) 27-2 won by decision over #5 Rudy Lopez (NSU) 21-5 (Dec 7-3)
Cons. Round 2 – #5 Rudy Lopez (NSU) 21-5 won by decision over Ethen Doty (Upper Iowa) 25-8 (Dec 4-3)
Cons. Round 3 – Angel Flores (Adams St.) 27-10 won by decision over Rudy Lopez (NSU) 22-6 (Dec 4-2)
7th Place Match – Rudy Lopez (NSU) 22-6 won in sudden victory – 1 over Brennan Watkins (King (TN)) 15-7 (SV-1 8-5)