Huskies Wrestling team completed a perfect season, capturing its third NCAA Division II national championship March 10 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The Huskies finished the two-day tournament with a team total of 92.5 points, defeating runner-up and defending national champ Notre Dame (Ohio), which had 84.0 points.
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This marks St. Cloud State’s third national title in four seasons. The Huskies won titles in 2015 and 2016. St. Cloud State has placed first or second six times since 2011.
Coach Steve Costanzo‘s team finished the 2017-18 season 19-0. Eight of those wins were Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference meets.
At 125-pounds, Brett Velasquez finished his junior season with a 2-1 record on Saturday. He opened the day with a 4-0 win over Nick Daggett of UNC-Pembroke in the consolation bracket and then captured a 12-2 major decision victory over Carlos Jacquez of Lindenwood in the semi’s of the consolation bracket. In the bout for third place, Velasquez lost a tight 3-2 match against Ivan McLay of Notre Dame (OH).
In action at 141-pounds, Jarred Oftedahl opened his second day of action with a 7-0 loss to Chris Eddins of Pitt-Johnstown in the semi’s. In the consolation semifinals, Oftedahl added a 3:44 fall against Bryce Killian of King before losing a 10-3 decision against Drew Walker of Notre Dame (OH) in the match for third place.
At 149-pounds, James Pleski punched his ticket to the championship match with fall at 4:19 against Frank Yattoni of UW-Parkside.
In the championship match, Pleski battled into overtime before losing to Daxton Gordon of California Baptist by a 5-1 margin. A two-time All-American, Pleski completed his 2017-18 season with a 29-2 overall record.
The Huskies added another pin in the semifinals at 157-pounds as Larry Bomstad charted an important fall over Fernie Silva of Notre Dame (OH) at 5:42.
In the title bout, Bomstad lost a tough 6-3 match against Cody Law of Pitt-Johnstown. This marked Bomstad’s third All-American award and he completes his senior season with a 29-5 overall record.
