Mar. 12th, 2005

After losing his opening match 10-5 Cory Wellnitz (Sr., Milbank, S.D.) picked up a pair of victories that assured him finishing in the top eight in the nation and earn All-American status. Wellnitz lost to P. Paksalev of Central Missouri State in his first match on Saturday and then was pinned by J Sylvester of Nebraska-Kearney in the seventh place match. Paksalev went on to place third in the nation. Wellnitz did finish in eighth place and earned the title of All-American.

Wellnitz defeated D.C. Hazen of Colorado School of Mines 13-3 and Dustin Trego of Fort Hayes State 10-5 on the first day of the event.

"It couldn't happen to a better kid," said Northern State wrestling coach Pat Timm. "He has worked hard for five years, and it has paid off for him. I am very proud that he earned that All-American status that he was looking for and deserves. But his work isn't over yet, he still wants to place high on Saturday."

Chas Welch (So., Rapid City, S.D.) lost his first-round, 125-pound match to Bryce Abbey of Nebraska-Kearney 11-1. Welch was then eliminated in the first-round wrestle backs by losing a close 2-1, double-overtime decision to Chonci Houston of Carson-Newman.

Welch was called for stalling to lose the match. "Chas put up a hard-fought battle. He went through a lot of injuries this year, and he showed a lot of guts with his effort this season," said Timm.

NSU freshman Todd Naasz of Mobridge lost his first-round 184-pound match to Derek Brunson of North Carolina-Pembroke 12-5. Naasz was then eliminated in the first-round wrestle backs by losing 6-2 to Don Ortega of Adams State College.

Click her for the complete results from National Tournament.