As we head into the latter part of the schedule, some Division II programs and wrestlers have started to separate themselves from the rest. 

St. Cloud State continues its roll in DII. With Penn State’s loss at Arizona State last month, the Huskies now have the nation's longest dual win streak at 58 consecutive victories. They defeated McKendree in the finals of the NWCA National Duals. McKendree is another program that has separated itself from the pack. In December the Bearcats won the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis. Nebraska-Kearney returns four national finalists from a season ago and looks to continue that momentum heading into regionals and nationals.

Powerhouse Programs

St. Cloud State

The Huskies have won four out of the last five national championships and are currently ranked #1 in Division II. They are led by four second-ranked wrestlers in the country: sophomore Garrett Vos (133), senior James Pleski (149), junior Jake Barzowski (157), and senior Kolton Eishens (174). 

They also have ranked wrestlers at 125 #17 Robbie Horsman, 141 #5 Garrett Aldrich, 165 #3 Devin FitPatrick, 184 #3 Tyree Overton, and 197 #8 Noah Ryan. With nine ranked wrestlers, it’s easy to see why they are the top of the class. Add in their 58-match dual win streak and the Huskies are hard to overlook. 

Pleski is a three-time All-American and looking for his first national title. Eichens is a two-time All-American with sixth- and fourth-place finishes. Vos, Barzowski, and Fitzpatrick all were All-Americans a season ago. The Huskies will be coming out of a tough regional that features most of the Northern Sun Conference along with other tough teams from the North Central region of the country.

McKendree

After finishing in third in 2019, the Bearcats will look to take home the title in 2020. They won the Midwest Classic Championship and followed it up with a runner-up finish to St. Cloud State at the NWCA National Duals. 

They are led by 165-pound wrestler Nick Foster, who is currently ranked #1 with a win over last year’s national champion, Matt Malcom from Nebraska-Kearney. McKendree had three champions at the Midwest Classic with Marcus Povlick winning 125, Foster at 165, and Ryan Vosbinder at 197. McKendree had eight placers to lead them to a championship with 131.5 points. They finished 18.5 points ahead of Central Oklahoma. 

The Bearcats currently have seven ranked wrestlers, led by Foster #1 at 165 pounds. They also have Povlick #2 at 125, Ryan Vosbinder #2 at 197, Caleb Gossett #7 at heavyweight, Juwon Edmond #9 at 149, Nate Smalling #9 at 157, Qiante Wagner #11 at 174, and Michael Aldrich #16 at 184. The Bearcats wrestle in a tough regional in Kansas that will also feature top teams Central Oklahoma, Maryville, Lindenwood, Newman, and Fort Hays State.

Nebraska-Kearney

The Lopers return all four national finalists from a season ago. Led by defending national champion Matt Malcom at 165 pounds, they also return Josh Portillo at 125, Wes Dawkins at 133, and Jarrod Hinrichs at heavyweight. The Lopers finished in fifth at Nationals last year and are looking to build depth behind that top four to make a run at Nationals. They have added Anthony Mancini at 184 pounds, a Division I transfer from Franklin & Marshall. He was eligible to return second semester and has been nothing short of impressive. 

Watch Nebraska-Kearney LIVE on Flo at the 2020 Midwest Duals

They also have Jon Killingsworth, who is a returning national qualifier at 141 pounds. Dawkins has been wrestling most of the season at 141 pounds but made his way down to 133 for the NWCA Duals and helped the Lopers finish in fourth. Although they didn’t have any placers, the Lopers saw some of the best wrestlers in the country when they wrestled at the Cliff Keen Invite in Las Vegas. UNK will be competing in Region 6 with tough teams such as Adams State, Colorado School of Mines, and Western Colorado.

Dark Horse Individuals

James Burks, Northern State

Burks was as decorated as they come entering his freshman season at Northern State. He was a junior Greco champion at Fargo, a Cadet Greco World Team member, and a four-time state champion in Nebraska. He is ranked #4 at 157 pounds currently with a win over #2 at 149 pounds, James Pleski.

Jonathan Andreatta, Adams State

He won the Midwest Classic at 133 pounds. The Adams State sophomore is currently ranked #4 with a fall over #5 Arik Furseth and a major decision over #8 Nate Cervantez of San Francisco State. Andreatta also won the Bob Smith Open at Fort Hays State.

Robert Gambrell, Colorado Mines

The senior from Colorado School of Mines has yet to lose a match against Division II competition. He is 9-1 with wins over #5 Bret Romansak, #7 Hayden Bronne, and #10 James Laconte. He won the Midwest Classic and finished in third at the UNK Midwest Classic.

Nick Mason, Tiffin

Mason has wrestled a tough schedule this season and has competed very well. The fifth-ranked senior from Tiffin won the Ohio Northern Invite and also has a third-place finish at the Midwest Classic and Findlay Open and a fifth-place finish at the Storm Open. All tough competitions with wrestlers from every level. His only DII losses are to #3 Matt Rudy from Limestone and #4 Logan Kemp from West Liberty.