This is UNK's 13th straight top 10 finish and fourth national runner up trophy, following second place showings in 2003, 2006 and 2007.
After a rough first day, top-ranked Notre Dame College (Ohio) had a super second day win its first national title as a D2 member. The Falcons, who have several NAIA national titles to their credit, scored 99.5 points thanks to national champs at 157, 165, 174 and 184 lbs.
Overall, the Central Region dominated the team standings, placing five in the top seven. Behind NDC and UNK were Maryville, Mo. (58.5), Ouachita Baptist, Ark. (56), Central Oklahoma (54.5), St. Cloud State (51) and Lindenwood (48.5).
Top-ranked sophomore Romero Cotton (Hutchinson, Kans.), after placing second at 197 lbs. last year, won the national title in scintillating fashion, 8-7.
Facing 3rd-ranked Julian Smith of D2 newcomer McKendree (Ill.), Cotton was down 5-1 heading into the third period. Smith built his lead with an early takedown in the first period and another one with 14 seconds left in the second.
Starting down in the third, Cotton quickly escaped to cut the deficit to three. He then recorded three takedowns in the final 1:18 to win.
After the first two, he gave Smith two free points, allowing him to start in the neutral position each time. The final takedown came with just 11 seconds left on the clock and allows the All-MIAA running back to finish 23-3.
He reached the finals by slipping past Fort Hays State's Tanner Kriss, 3-1, in the first sudden victory period.
Top-ranked sophomore Daniel DeShazer (Wichita, Kans.) wasn't as fortunate as he came in second at 133 lbs. Trying to defend his national title, DeShazer lost to nemisis Casy Rowell of Central Oklahoma, 3-2, in the second tie breaking period.
The 4th-ranked Rowell escaped to earn the winning point and then rode DeShazer (17-2) for 30 seconds to secure the victory. He is now 3-1 all-time vs. DeShazer and is the only D2 wrestler to beat the Loper running back on the mats.
DeShazer lived on the right side of the edge for most of the tourney, winning both his quarterfinal and semifinal matches in OT.
UNK had three other All-Americans in seniors Patrick Martinez (3rd/174 lbs.), Mark Fiala (7th/184 lbs.) and Brock Smith (6th/165 lbs.)
Martinez (25-2), ranked fourth, gave now two-time national champ Joey Davis of NDC (69-0 in college) everything he wanted before falling 5-2 in the semifinals.
The California native bounced back to record two wins, including an impressive 5-3 decision over 3rd-ranked Elliott Copeland of Western State.
Smith (Gering), during the regular season, handed UCO's Chris Watson his only two losses. However, Watson (43-4), the eventual runner up, beat Smith in the semifinals this afternoon, his second victory against him this postseason.
Smith dropped his next two matches but ends up 22-9 and with his first All-American honor.
Finally, Fiala (Seward) joins Cotton, DeShazer and Martinez as a two-time All-American. Going 35-17 this season, he got some pay back in the seventh place match by defeating 4th-ranked Bryson Hall of Ashland, 6-3.
Hall beat Fiala, 3-2, in the first round.
NCAA AWARDS
Most Dominant – Joey Davis, Notre Dame (Ohio)
Most Falls – Zachary Bennett, Pittsburgh-Johnstown
Most Tech Falls – Austin Gillihan, Lake Erie College (Ohio)
NCAA DIVISION II COACHES ASSOCIATION AWARDS
Coach of the Year – Kevin Ward, Ouachita Baptist U., Ark.
Outstanding Wrestler – Casy Rowell, Central Oklahoma
Gorrarian Award (Most Falls at Nationals in least time) - Darick Lapaglia, Maryville (Mo.)
Bob Bubb Coaching Excellence Award – Lars Jensen, San Francisco State
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