The South Dakota State Wrestling team brought home a third place finish at the NCAA Division II Championships held in Kenosha, Wis., March 8 and 9.

The team recorded its ninth consecutive top-five finish at the championships with a third-place effort in competition, which concluded Saturday at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

“This year, as a team we didn’t had a full team, but I think we came together at the end.” Jon Madsen said.

Central Oklahoma won the team championship with 128 team points. The Bronchos crowned four individual champions. North Dakota State was second with 116.5 points, followed by SDSU with 67.

Five of the six Jackrabbit wrestlers entered in the two-day tournament earned All-America honors, including national runners-up Tyler Bryant and Tyler Jones. Todd Paszek and Aaron Veskrna each finished third, while heavyweight Jon Madsen placed seventh.

Bryant, a junior from Pierre, advanced to the finals of the 165-pound weight class with a 5-4 decision over Todd Kirkpatrick of Augustana. In the finals, he dropped a one-point decision to Shawn Silvis of Central Oklahoma, which won the team championship.

Jones, a junior from Mitchell, won a 4-2 decision over Central Oklahoma’s Jeff Henning to advance to the 184-pound finals. In the championship match, Jones fell 5-3 to San Francisco State’s Mauricio Wright.

Paszek worked his way through the 197-pound wrestlebacks, recording a pin of North Dakota State’s Brian Kraemer in 6:59 in the consolation quarterfinals. He then went on to pin Wisconsin-Parkside’s Luke Goral in 4:12 to advance to the third-place match, where he won a 2-1 decision over Brian Scislo of Findlay (Ohio).

Veskrna won his opening match of the day 6-0 over Jared Novak of Central Washington, then took third place at 157 pounds with a 3-1 overtime win against Gary Skoch of Ashland (Ohio).

Madsen dropped his first match on Saturday by a 9-7 count in overtime to Josh Hendricks of Ashland, then defeated Cody Beguin of Chadron State (Neb.) in the seventh-place match.

“I wanted a different outcome, but it was best I could do for that day,” he said.

Six South Dakota State University wrestlers placed at the North Central Conference Division II Championships held in Sioux Falls Sunday, Feb. 24.

The Jacks included two individual champions Jeremy Roe and Tyler Jones. SDSU’s Aaron Veskrna and Todd Paszek made it to the championship round but finished in second place. Other finishers were Jon Madsen at third place and Tyler Bryant at fourth place.

SDSU placed fourth in the seven-team field with 58.5 points. North Dakota State repeated as NCC champion with 73.5 points.

The NCAA Division II National Championships will be held March 8 to 9 in Kenosha, Wis. The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is the host institution.

The wrestlers have one more week of practice to work on their tactics and skills before leaving for the NCAA Division II National Championships.

“We will be working to improve our performance,” Head Coach Jason Liles said. “We want to have the best showing of the year.”

SDSU has finished higher at nationals than at the NCC Championships five out of the past eight years, he said.

Freshman Roe claimed the 141-pound title. He downed Northern Colorado’s Ronnie Stafford 7-5 in the championship match.

Jones remained undefeated on the season as he claimed the 184-pound championship. Jones claimed his 2-0 win over Nebraska-Omaha’s Zach Stalder in the championship match. Jones will be making his third appearance at nationals after sitting out last season.

Second-ranked Aaron Veskrna at 157 pounds, lost in a conference title match for the second time. North Dakota State’s Paul Carlson dropping an 8-3 decision to claim the championship title. This was Veskrna’s second loss of the season. He carries a 29-2 record into his third consecutive national meet.

Paszek earned his second trip to nationals with his second straight runner-up finish. Nebraska-Omaha’s Chad Wallace won the Championship title in a 3-2 decision against Paszek.

Madsen won a 6-2 decision over Northern Colorado’s Tom Clemen in the wrestlebacks, then won 3-1 in overtime over St. Cloud State’s Dustin Darveaux in the third-place match.

North Dakota State’s Michael Fiedler earned a 3-2 victory over Bryant for a third-place finish.

Like most teams this past weekend, the South Dakota State’s hockey club geared up to play their tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.

After two days of tackling, skating and shooting, the Jacks walked away with a second place finish in the Great Plains Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament, Feb. 22 to 23.

The Des Moines Collegiate Hockey Club walked away with the championship title, outscoring the Jacks 1-4.

The hockey team finished the season 12-12-2.

SDSU opened the tournament Friday night and shutting out the second seeded Dordt College 5-0.

The Jacks came out in full force at the beginning of the game.

“We came out and got after them outshooting Dordt 12-8 and outscoring them 2-0,” Head Coach Marty Schipull said about the first period.

The Jacks kept the momentum going by outshooting 18-4 Dordt during the second period. SDSU scored just one during that period, raising the lead 3-0.

During the third period, the Jacks once again outshot, outscored and outskated Dordt. The Jacks put two more in the net, bringing the final score 5-0.

Scoring for the Jacks during Friday’s game were Tom Foerster, Adam Nelson, Andy Schuster, Billy Schneider and Ryan Taylor had two goals.

The championship game was a different story. DMCHC was the regular season champs with a undefeated record and only one tie early in November against the Jacks.

“First period did not go well,”Schipull said. “We got out shot 15-11, out hussled and out played and got down 0-2.”

The Jacks came back early in the second period. The Jacks generated a few chances of their own. The Jacks put a stop to their break away chances and generated better scoring chances.

DMCHC generated only one goal during that period, but the SDSU’s goalie Heath Isaacson came up with a big save right at the end of the period.

“During third period, we continued the previous effort but had a hard time breaking through and finishing the play to score,” Schipull said.

The Jacks only score of the night came during the third period for a 1-4 final.

“We played the best two and half periods of the year against DMCHC,” Schipull said.

It was an impressive week for the South Dakota State wrestling team.

The 12-ranked Jacks had two big wins last week. The Jacks defeated Southwest State 28-19 on Feb. 13 in a rescheduled dual. SDSU defeated 24-19 against in-state rivals, Augustana on Feb. 15.

SDSU dominated the first three matches pulling a 14-0 lead on SSU. Aiding in this domination was Tyler Jones, Todd Paszek and John Madsen.

Second-ranked Jones won against Adam Barton in a technical fall in the 184-weight class.

Paszek pinned SSU’s Cody Kummer at 197.

Heavyweight Madsen kept the winning streak alive by defeating Mark Simmonds.

It was all SSU during the next three matches. Aided by a forfeit and by a pin, SSU took a 15-14 lead. That soon changed as soon as Jeremy Roe stepped on the mat.

Roe, who has been out for two weeks due to an injury, won the 149 class by defeating Jeremy Boogerd in a technical fall.

Following Roe’s win was Aaron Veskrna. Second-ranked Veskrna pinned SSU’s Josh Skogen at 157.

Second-ranked Tyler Bryant closed out the scoring with a decision at 165 pounds against Brett Bartholomaus.

SDSU returned home Feb. 15 to defeat Augie in Frost Arena. This match ended SDSU’s dual season. The Jacks finished 9-8.

It was all SDSU during the first three matches. Aiding in putting SDSU on the board were Roe, Jacob Schuring and Veskrna.

Freshman Roe won his match against Ryan Carlson in a decision at 141.

Schuring won by a technical fall at 149 against Augie’s Kevin Sobolik.

Veskrna followed with a 2-0 decision over Augie’s Seth Webster. Veskrna will walk into the North Central Conference tournament with a 27-1 record.

At 184, Tyler Jones won against Sam Kenton in a 12-0 major decision. SDSU picked up a forfeit at 197.

Sixth-ranked Jon Madsen faced second-ranked James Garvey in the match of the night. There was not scoring in the third period, but Madsen got an escape in the second for a 1-0 lead. Garvey answered with an escape in the third leading the match into overtime. In overtime, Madsen scored a takedown for a 3-1 victory in just 17 seconds.

During this week the team will be preparing for the North Central Conference tournament held in Sioux Falls Sunday, Feb. 24

Home again in Frost Arena, the South Dakota State wrestling team fell to Augsburg 33-16.

Augsburg, top ranked in NCAA division III, remains undefeated after Sunday afternoon match in Frost Arena. Meanwhile, SDSU, ranked No. 12 in Division II’s 7-8 after last weekend’s meet.

Augsburg led with a successful pin at 133 pounds, putting them ahead 18-0. Forfeits in the 141 and 149 weight classes also put Augsburg ahead in the points standings.

Senior Aaron Veskrna put SDSU on the board with his pin in 6:20 against Jeremy Jirele in the 157 weight class.

Second-ranked Veskrna had is 25th win of the season. He is currently 25-1. His only lost of the season was against a Nebraska-Lincoln wrestler.

Continuing the Jacks winning streak, 184-pounder Tyler Jones had a 7-3 decision over Augsburg’s Rickey Crane. Second-ranked Jones has improved to a 12-0 during the season.

Second-ranked wrestlers Tony Abbott won in an overtime tiebreaker over SDSU’s Tyler Bryant 2-1.

Todd Paszek, No. 5 knocked top ranked Kevin Radmussen by a major decision 11-2 in the 197 weight class.

“I did better than expected. I figured it was going to be a close match,” he said. “Last week, I work harder getting in shape. I felt better Sunday and I guess it all came together.

Heavyweight Jon Madsen added a 3-2 victory over Nick Flangan.

The Jacks face Southwest State Wednesday at 7p.m. The team closes their dual season with a match against Augustana in Frost Arena.

Veskrna, who has a 25-1 record, will face two tough opponents this week against Southwest State and Augustana.

Veskrna had face Augustana opponents four times this season averaging only a one point difference in his favor.

“It will be a tough dual,” Paszek said. “But Jon Madsen will be wrestling.”

Madsen was not present at the Division II National Duals held in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 19 to 20.

“We will battle them head to head,” Paszek said. “It will be a good dual.”

The South Dakota State wrestling team proved to be unstoppable Friday.

After three weeks on the road, the Jacks felt right home in Frost Arena pinning four Northern State opponents, Friday. SDSU left the mat 31-19 over NSU.

SDSU had an open weight at 149. NSU took a 16-15 lead after the jacks forfeited at 149.

Todd Paszek, 197-pounder, opened the meet with the first pin of the day, setting the tone. He pinned NSU’s Jared Campten in 1.07.

Following Paszek’s lead, heavyweight Jon Madsen pinned Baron Blanchord in 2:37.

Aaron Veskrna and Tyler Bryant had back-to-back pins to put the Jacks back on top 27-16. Veskrna pinned NSU’s Ron Reszel 4:59 in the 157 weight class. Bryant, 165-pounder, kept the momentum going by pinning his opponent Spencer Dockey in 4:11.

Tyler Jones at 184 and Nathan Smrekar at 133 also had wins in their weight classes.

Second-ranked North Dakota State won a 27-13 dual victory over No. 12 SDSU Saturday night.

NDSU had two pins at 133, 174 and a forfeit at 149 aided the Bison.

The Jacks stepped out on to the mats on the right foot. SDSU won the first two matches.

Tyler Jones defeated NDSU’s Thad Pike 7-0 in the 184 weight class.

“I would have liked to put a little more pressure on my feet and score a few more takedowns,” he said.

Jones is back on the mat after a few weeks of due to a knee injury.

“I am taking everything week by week,” he said. “I am working on conditioning and getting my lungs in shape.”

Todd Paszek defeated Anthony Vittetoe 8-0 in the 197 weight class. Currently Paszek is ranked No. 7 in Division II.

NSDU’s Nick Severson and Jon Madsen faced off again in the heavyweight class. Severson and Madsen faced each other last year at the National Championships, which was won my Severson.

Severson and Madsen rallied into overtime. Madsen was leading 3-2 before Severson scored a takedown with 23 seconds remaining. Madsen escaped with six seconds left, making it 4-4. Five seconds into the extra period, Severson scored a takedown. Severson won the match in overtime 6-4.

SDSU remains at home this weekend as they host Augsburg College in Frost Area, Sunday at 7:30 p.m in a non-conference dual.

Augsburg is last year’s Division III national champion. They have held on to the title for the last four years.

“Even though they are a Division III school, they are as good as NDSU,” Jones said. “They are in a league all there own.”

Augsburg has not weak weight classes, Jones said.

South Dakota State wrestlers went head to head this weekend, competing in two duel meets.

Friday, the Jacks fell to St. Cloud State 30-18 in North Central Conference dual action.

The Jacks forfeited two matches in the 149 and 165 weight classes, and lost the 125 match by an injury default.

SDSU had five wrestlers that swept their matches. Tyler Jones, 184-pounder, had a 12-5 decision over Nate Whiting. Nathen Smrekar won with a 4-1 decision over John Dirkesen in the 133 weight class. Sophomore Jeremy Roe smothered St. Cloud State’s Joe Sathre in a 11-2 decision in the 141 wight class. Aaron Veskrna swept his opponent Dan Duch into a 11-5 decision, winning the 157 weight class.

” I was happy with my performance. Anytime you can go in a win a match is great,” Veskrna said.

Saturday, the Jacks were swept by fifth-ranked Minnesota State, Mankato, Minn.

Five wrestlers dominate the mats against the Mavericks. However, SDSU did face three forfeits in 125, 149 and 165 weight classes, which did not help the 30-18 final score.

Some SDSU wrestlers are struggling with injuries forfeiting three weight classes.

SDSU might have to forfeit the 149 weight class this weekend, but coach Liles said that hopefully the other two classes will be filled.

Roe defeated MSU-Mankato’s Dustin Kulseth by a technical fall of 5:12 in the 141 weight class. Second-ranked Veskrna defeated Mankato’s Cory Beckman 4-3 in the 157-weight class. At 184, Number two Jones defeated Joel Schrimpt 15-6. Todd Paszek dominated his 197-weight class by pulling down Aaron Pyfferoen in a 4-2 decision. Heavyweight and seventh ranked Jon Madsen defeated Paul Suien 10-6.

After Friday and Saturday’s meet, Veskrna holds a 23-1 record for the season.

The Jacks are ranked 12th in NCAA Division II. The wrestling team holds a 6-6 record with a 1-3 record in the North Central Conference.

The SDSU wrestling team takes to the mats this weekend at home in frost Area. Friday, the wrestlers will face Northern State University in a non-conference duel at 8 p.m. Saturday, the Jacks will compete against second-ranked North Dakota State University at 7:30 p.m.

The team is prepared for this weekend against NDSU, Veskrna said.

“They have a great traditional wrestling team,” he said. “We are struggling with duals and they have a great dual team.”

NDSU has a 8-1 record and is un defeated 3-0 in the NCC. Three Bison remain undefeated in the dual meet season. Matt Strawser, 190-pounder; Todd Fuller, 174-pounder and heavyweight Nick Severson all remain undefeated.

Veskrna is confident that Liles will prepare the team for this and following meets.

“I think Coach will prepare us for what lies a head trough conditioning and so on.,” he said

It was a close call for the South Dakota State hockey club over the weekend. The Jacks were defeated Friday 5-6, but came on strong Saturday winning 4-3.

Head Coach Marty Schipull said the Jacks had a tough start at the beginning of the weekend.

In the first period alone, ISU outshot SDSU 13-11 enroute to 4-1 lead. Things turned around for the Jacks during the second period, when they outshot ISU 2-1 bring the score 5-3.

The Jacks came close to matching ISU within one goal before ISU put another goal pass the Jacks. ISU closed out the game with a minute and a half left and scored with 31 seconds.

Scoring for SDSU were Keith Munsell, Ben Bofenkamp and Andy Schuster. Junior Tom Foerster scored two goals for the Jacks.

Saturday, the Jacks showed the Cyclones how hockey is played by outscoring and outshooting the Iowa boys from Ames.

“Definitely needing a better showing on Saturday night, the Jacks got a stellar performance from goalie Heath Isaacson,” Schipull said.

Isaacson stopped 45 of 48 shots on Saturday.

The game lead drifted between the two teams until late in the second period when the Cyclones outshot SDSU 24-16 bring the score to a tie 3-3.

“Billy Schneider ended a personal three game goal scoring draught by netting the game winner six minutes into the third period,” Schipull said. “ISU fought back hard with a barage of shots in the closing minutes but Isaacson was equal to the task to preserve the win for the Jacks.”

Scoring for SDSU, Saturday, were Justin Moe, Billy Schneider, Schuster and Bofenkamp.

The Jacks will host Northern State University this weekend, Friday, Feb. 1 at 10 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 2 at 9:30 p.m. These are the last home games this semester.

Carr Sports Associates, a sports consulting firm, revealed Friday the first phase of a study concerning SDSU’s move from Division II to Division I.

At this time, SDSU has not reached a conclusion. However, due to the changing environment in the NCAA and North Central Conference, SDSU desires to be in an informed decision, SDSU’s Athletic Director Fred M. Oien said.

“When the opportunity comes; you will have to be ready,” he said. “No formal decisions have been made at the moment.”

A final report from Carr Sports Associates, including recommendations, is expected to be completed in the next six to eight weeks.

If Carr Sports Associates recommends that SDSU explore the Division I option further, the university may proceed with a regional market analysis to determine revenue potential, along with preparing a strategic plan for the transition from Division II to Division I, Oien said.

Carr Sports Associates, who are conducting the study, identified four critical areas?NCAA transition period, financial requirements, facilities and conference affiliation?for consideration in making a move from Division I, with the option of playing Division I-AA football.

Under current NCAA policy, SDSU would require to be on a five-year reclassification period.

During that time, SDSU would not be eligible for NCAA Championships. In seven years, SDSU would be eligible as an automatic qualifier in all sports except men’s basketball. Men’s basketball requires 13 years.

The consultants compared SDSU’s current budget to the average budget of schools sponsoring Division I-AA football and the average budget of schools competing in the Big Sky Conference. SDSU’s budget was $2.3 million less than schools competing in the Big Sky Conference.

“The difference would need to be made up primarily in the areas of financial aid and in the areas of personnel,” Gerald K. O’Dell, Carr Sports Associates, said.

The consultants found that fund-raising, marketing and promotions, and ticket sells were higher than Division II schools and were average with Division I schools.

“We feel this bows extremely well for SDSU,” O’Dell said. “It puts the foundation in place if a move is made to Division I-AA.”

SDSU should continue to improve sport facilities bringing a proposed Wellness Center to reality, an indoor practice facility and continuing improving Coughlin-Alumni Stadium, Bill Carr, Carr Sports Associates, said.

“Conference affiliation is the cornerstone of this issue because there is a real need to be in a conference before a move is made,” Carr said.

Are there any doors open for SDSU to join a conference?

“Nationally, dialogue is underway,” he said. “This is an extremely fluent time for intercollegiate athletics, in fact the dynamics for change are strong.”

The market for intercollegiate athletics looks bright, he said.

It’s important for SDSU to be ready, to responded and to move with appropriate actions, Carr said.

SDSU is one of four land-grant universities that does not compete at the NCAA Division I level.

South Dakota State’s wrestling team swept its competitors off the mats Friday, Dec. 7, during the Concordia-Moorhead and Carleton triangular.

The Jacks won by a 37-12 count over Concordia and then defeated Carleton 47-9.

“We has seven who won their first collegiate dual match,” Jason Liles, wrestling head coach, said. “We did pretty good. We tried not to wrestle down to them, we tried to wrestle at a higher level.”

The second-ranked Jackrabbits had seven wrestlers who won their first collegiate dual match. Those wrestlers are Jordan Zens, 125 pounds, Nathan Wallman, 133 pounds, Jeremy Roe, 141 pounds, Marcus Hellwege, 149 pounds, Scott King, 174 pounds, Cole Strandemo, 184 pounds and Todd Paszek, 197 pounds.

SDSU also had seven wrestlers who won both their dual matches. Those wrestlers are Jeremy Roe (141), Tyler Bryant (165), Cole Strandemo (184), Todd Paszek (197) and Jon Madsen (heavyweight).

For junior Scott King, this was his first wrestling match in three years. This is the first time that he has wrestled since high school.

“I was a little nervous,” the Faulkton native said. “It was more ruffling than anything.”

Freshman Cole Strandemo was happy with his performance on the mats Friday. Strandemo defeated Concordia’s Ed Oehlers by a 6-0 decision for his first dual win. He also defeated Carleton’s Jonathan Davey by a fall to claim another victory.

“”I was happy with the way I wrestled,” he said. “It was nice to get that first win under my belt.”

The Jacks return to Frost Arena to close out competition for the semester on Thursday, Dec. 13, taking on Minnesota State-Moorhead.

Minnesota State-Moorhead has a strong team, Liles said.

“They have a real good team,” Liles said. “They are going to be really strong and it will be a close dual.”

Minnesota State-Moorhead is 3-2-0 overall and have not yet competed against other Northern Sun Conference schools.

Strandemo and King are optimistic about this Thursday’s dual.

“We are going to wrestle tough,” Strandemo said. “If we wrestle hard we should beat them.”

King said he hopes he wrestles better Thursday.

“We are going to win,” he said enthusiastically. “And I hope I will wrestle better because hopefully I will be in better shape.”

Next semester, the Jacks enter the North Central Conference competition beginning with 15-ranked Southwest State on Jan. 5.

Over semester break many wrestlers plan to practice with their high school wrestling team.

Strandemo plans on practicing with high school wrestlers in Mandan, N. D. He said in his spare time he will be running and weightlifting to keep himself in the wrestling mood.

King also plans on practicing with Faulkton High School wrestling team over the break to keep in shape.

Many high schools like Salem host alumni matches for fathers and sons. This is another way to keep the wrestlers active over the semester break.

The wrestlers will have one week off. They will return Dec. 28 and have two practices a day in conditioning and weigh training to prepare for the second half of the season.