March 10, 2002

Senior 174-pounder Cory Anderson (Milbank) and sophomore heavyweight Baron Blanchard (Kindred, N.D.) had similar scripts in the 2002 NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championships in Kenosha, Wis. March 8-10.

Both Northern grapplers, who earned the right to compete at nationals with second-place finishes in the Midwest Regional hosted by Northern Feb. 24, won their first-round matches at nationals.

In the second round, both ran into North Dakota State road blocks. Anderson lost to eventual national champion Todd Fuller, while Blanchard fell to eventual national heavyweight champion Nick Severson. Both seniors, Fuller ended his career a three-time national champion, while Severson is a two-time national champ.

In wrestlebacks, both Anderson and Blanchard couldn't make it back into the placewinners round. The top eight placewinners at nationals earn all-American status. As a team, Northern finished 28th overall, which is higher than any other NSIC school at nationals.

It was Anderson's first trip to nationals, and Blanchard's second. Midwest Region champion Central Oklahoma won the national team title. For complete results, visit Wisconsin-Parkside's national host site.

Here is how Northern's wrestlers fared at nationals:

Cory Anderson, Sr., 174 -- dec. Matt Sleder, Ft. Hays State, 6-4; lbd to Todd Fuller, North Dakota State, 11-2; lbd to Randy Pyle, Pitt-Johnstown, 10-4.

Baron Blanchard, So., Hwt. -- dec. Cody Parks, Ft. Hays State, 4-0; lbf to Nick Severson, North Dakota State, :25; lbd to Jon Madsen, South Dakota State, 4-2.