MSU-N's Hinebauch, Mattingly earn NAIA All American

With few wrestlers entered in the field, the Montana State University- Northern wrestling team tried to make the most of its trip to the NAIA national tournament. The Lights came away with two NAIA All-Americans this weekend at the national tournament in Oklahoma City. Northern sophomore Evan Hinebauch placed fourth for the Lights at 184 pounds, while senior Evan Mattingly earned all-american honors by finishing sixth at 197 pounds. As a team, the Lights scored 39 points to finish 15th with just four grapplers entered. Notre Dame of Ohio captured its first national title with 179.5 points, while western region powers Southern Oregon (120) and the University of Great Falls (118.5) finished second and third, respectively. Former Blue Pony and UGF freshman Myles Mazurkiewicz had a great first national tournament, finishing second at 133 pounds. Hinebauch, another former Blue Pony, was upset in the second round of the 184-pound bracket, but rebounded by winning five straight matches in the wrestle backs. In the consolation final, Hinebauch lost a major decision, 9-0 to UGF rival Michael French to finish fourth. Hinebauch finished second a year ago at the tournament. Mattingly was also outstanding for the Lights. He reached the 197-pound quarters before losing, then wrestled back to the fifth-sixth place match before losing there. The MSU-N senior went 5-3 on the weekend. The Lights also got three wins from senior Austin Ouelette at 165 pounds. Ouelette was injured for much of the season, but had a strong finish to his senior year. Harlem native Chase Dirden went 0-2 for the Lights at 133 pounds.