Northern Iowa wins West Regional title
3/9/2008
University of Northern Iowa Sports Information
FARGO, N.D. -- The University of Northern Iowa wrestling team crowned six individual champions and won its 23rd straight regional title Saturday at the 2008 NCAA West Regional held in the Bison Sports Arena.
The Panthers' individual champions included 133-pounder Josh Baldridge (Haysville, Kan.), 149-pounder Nick Pickerell (Albia, Iowa), 157-pounder Tyson Reiner (Mitchell, S.D.), 165-pounder Moza Fay (Anamosa, Iowa), 184-pounder Andy O'Loughlin (Independence, Iowa), 197-pounder Andrew Anderson (Sioux City, Iowa).
Final Team Standings
1. UNI 119.0
2. Air Force 64.5
3. Wyoming 49.5
4. UNC 47.5
5. NDSU 44.5
6. SDSU 14.0
2008 West Regional National Qualifiers
133 - Josh Baldridge (UNI) - 1st
141 - Jacob Kriegbaum (Air Force) - 1st
Outstanding Wrestler - Jacob Kriegbaum (Air Force)
Most Falls - Moza Fay (UNI)
Coach of the Year - Joel Sharratt (Air Force)
Finals
Baldridge captured the 133-pound title with a second-period fall of Wyoming's Cory VomBaur at the 4:34 mark of their match. It was Baldridge's second fall of the day and capped a perfect 3-0 mark at the regional tournament. It will be Baldridge's first trip to Division I nationals after twice earning all-America honors as a junior college wrestler.
At 133 pounds, No. 4 seed Derek Gillespie tallied a four-point move in the first period against No. 1-seeded Josh Baldridge. Baldridge came back with a reversal on the edge of the match to trim the lead in half, but Gillespie netted a reversal with only three seconds left in the first period. Baldridge and Gillespie traded reversals to begin the second period. However, Baldridge came back with another reversal and then caught Gillespie in a cradle and got the fall at the 3:54 mark of their bout to advance to the 133-pound championship match.
C.J. Ettelson scored the first takedown of his match with No. 3-seeded Jacob Kriegbaum at 141 pounds, but Kriegbaum turned the tables with a pair of three-point nearfalls after registering a reversal. The Hudson native cut into the margin with a reversal and a two-point nearfall and trailed only 8-6 entering the final period. Kriegbaum chose down to start the third period, but Ettelson was unable to get a nearfall in the third period and suffered a 9-7 loss.