CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Minnesota State wrestling team advanced one wrestler to the final day of the NCAA Championships in Cleveland, Ohio.
Sophomore #3 Kyle Rathman (149 lbs.) opened the NCAA Championships with a 5-1 decision over Noah Ottum from Colorado School of Mines. In second round, Rathman took on #8 Isaiah Kemper from McKendree. Trailing 2-0 heading into the third round, Rathman managed to record an escape but he could not get the takedown as Kemper held on for the 2-1 decision.
In the consolation bracket, Rathman was able to advance to the final day of the championships as he bested Faris Messai from Gannon via a 9-4 decision. Rathman tallied three takedowns against Messai, to go along with two escapes and one point for riding time. With the win over Messai, Rathman secured All-American honors and can finish as high as third tomorrow.
Rathman will begin day two of the NCAA Championships against #10 Gavin Londoff from Lindenwood (Mo.).
Junior Louie Sanders (141 lbs.) saw his run at the NCAA Championships come to an end as he went 1-2. Sanders began the day with a 14-0 major decision loss to #10 Jose Rodriguez from Notre Dame (Ohio). He then bounced back with a 9-7 decision over #9 Jason Hanenburg from Western Colorado, but his run would come to an end in the next round as Wheeling Jesuit’s Jared Donahue won via fall at 6:41. Sanders finished his junior season with a 15-7 record.
Junior Logan Saltou (165 lbs.) lost his opening match to Millersville’s #3 Shane Ruhnke. At the 5:32, Ruhnke scored the fall as he was leading 13-7. In the consolation bracket, Saltou was bested by Mercyhurst’s Logan Grass via a 17-0 tech fall at 2:33 to end his run. Saltou finished his junior season with an 18-9 record.
As a team, Minnesota State sits in a tie for 31st place with five points.
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