The Northern State Wolves have much to look forward to this season. The Wolves have the leadership of four seniors and two returning national qualifiers. They also have the advantage of returning 8 out of 10 starters from last year. In addition, the team has rejoined the NSIC after Upper Iowa joined the conference, bringing the total number of teams to four. The University of Mary will add to that number when they join in the year 2006-07.
Wrestlers looking to continue their success this season include national qualifiers Chas Welch (125) and Todd Naaz (197). Welch, a junior, entered the national tournament last year plagued by injury. This year, he hopes to make a return trip in healthy form and gain All-American status. A red shirt sophomore, Naasz will be making the jump up to 197 lbs. His experience at last years national tournament will benefit him greatly as he works to obtain All-American honors this year.
Senior wrestlers hungry for their first trip to the national tournament include Matt Englund, Jason Hill, Spencer Dockery, and Dana Dargatz. Hill and Englund are each coming off winning seasons, in which both wrestlers shared time at 165 lbs. This year one of them will be moving up to 174 lbs. No matter what weight they wrestle, both of these young men will bring talent and leadership to the team. Other seniors looking for a starting spot are Dana Dargatz and Spencer Dockery. Both of these wrestlers will be challenging each other to fill the 157 lb weight class. Dockery has been a three year starter and letter winner. Dargatz enters the season after a two year absence from the team during which he served his country in Iraq. Before leaving for Iraq, Dana finished the 2002-03 season with a conference championship and a 6th place finish at the NCAA Regional at 149 lbs.
Other returning starters include Brandon Haman, Jesse Wood, Shawn Lewis, and Jess Hockley. Haman a sophomore (133) is coming off of shoulder surgery and is looking to red-shirt to get healthy and gain more experience. Wood (149) a transfer from SDSU last spring is ready to get a full year under his belt and challenge for a spot at nationals as well as All-American honors. Lewis (184) has been plagued with injuries the past three seasons, but this year he looks to stay healthy and contribute to the team. Hockley (hwt) is starting his 2nd season as the Wolves’ top heavyweight. He has made much improvement over the summer and is ready to make an impact at the conference and regional levels.
Looking to fill the opening at 133lbs will be freshman Austin Johnsrud and Logan Hayman. Both of these young men had stellar careers in high school and look to continue their success at the college level. Mark Burkart plans on taking the top spot at 141 lbs his freshman year. Mark may have to fight for the spot if Hayman decides to bump up a weight.
Freshman Philip Downs and James Manuel will look to gain experience under the tutelage of the upper classmen and will challenge at the 149 lb weight class. Johnny Mikkelsen, a Nevada state champion may challenge for a spot at 157 lb, but more than likely will red-shirt this year.
With experience, leadership, and young talent, the Wolves are looking to make a run at he conference title. They will also look to improve on last year’s performance at the National Tournament.
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Northern State University (located in Aberdeen, SD) is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of th
e Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
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