NAIA national tournament: Lights crown three All-Americans, finish 8th

Updated at 9:30 p.m. Saturday: Three Montana State University-Northern wrestlers will return from the NAIA national tournament in Topeka, Kansas as All-Amercians. Northern red-shirt sophomore Garrett DeMers comes home as a national runner-up after losing a tough decision in the 197-pound championship match Saturday night.

DeMers was defeated by Southern Oregon rival Charles Johnson in the final. Northern senior Ethan Hinebauch became a four-time All-Amercian after he finished fifth on Saturday afternoon, while heavyweight Toby Cheff fought all the way back to place third.

In the team standings, the Lights scored 57.5 points to finish eighth overall. Grand View won its fourth straight national title, while Western Region members Southern Oregon was second and UGF was fourth.

For complete coverage, see Monday's Havre Daily News.

The first day of the 2015 NAIA national wrestling tournament in Topeka, Kansas was not what the Montana State University-Northern Lights envisioned. Top-ranked Northern wrestlers Ethan Hinebauch and Toby Cheff both suffered upsets before the semifinal round, and the Lights currently sit in 10th place overall with 31 points.

The bright spot for Northern was red-shirt sophomore Garrett DeMers, who wound up reaching the semifinals with a pair of victories at 197 pounds. DeMers beat Ottawa's Casey Krump 7-3 in the quarterfinals.

Cheff, who was unbeaten going into Friday, lost in the second round to Missouri Valley's Daniel Mueller, but he has since rebounded to win three straight in the consolation bracket. Hinebauch, a heavy favorite to win a national title at 165, was stunned by fifth-ranked Ricky McCarty, 10-3 in the quarterfinals. Hinebauch bounced back to win in the consolation bracket Friday night.

DeMers, Hinebauch and Cheff will all reach All-American status for the Lights, while Tommy Cooper (157), Cole McArthur (174) and Willie Miller (184) were all eliminated on Friday.

Defending champion Grand View leads the way with 83 points, while Great Falls is in second with 64 points. The Argos have five wrestlers in Saturday morning's semifinals.

MSU-N results

157 - Tommy Cooper (26-25) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Dallas Houchins (Grand View) 21-1 won by major decision over Tommy Cooper (Montana State-Northern) 26-25 (MD 10-2)

Cons. Round 1 - Tommy Cooper (Montana State-Northern) 26-25 received a bye () (Bye)

Cons. Round 2 - Shawn Mcghee (Campbellsville) 30-6 won by major decision over Tommy Cooper (Montana State-Northern) 26-25 (MD 12-2)

165 - Ethan Hinebauch (48-6) placed 8th and scored 9.50 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Ethan Hinebauch (Montana State-Northern) 48-6 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 - Ethan Hinebauch (Montana State-Northern) 48-6 won by fall over Isaac King (St. Andrews) 20-7 (Fall 1:16)

Quarterfinal - Ricky McCarty (Oklahoma City) 33-11 won by decision over Ethan Hinebauch (Montana State-Northern) 48-6 (Dec 10-3)

Cons. Round 4 - Ethan Hinebauch (Montana State-Northern) 48-6 won by fall over Taylor Hodel (Dickinson State) 26-13 (Fall 6:18)

174 - Cole McArthur (9-10) place is unknown and scored 0.00 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Cole McArthur (Montana State-Northern) 9-10 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 - Bryant Guillen (Baker) 27-15 won by decision over Cole McArthur (Montana State-Northern) 9-10 (Dec 5-3)

Cons. Round 2 - Ishmael Rempson (William Penn) 24-16 won by major decision over Cole McArthur (Montana State-Northern) 9-10 (MD 13-5)

184 - William Miller (23-6) place is unknown and scored 1.00 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - William Miller (Montana State-Northern) 23-6 won by decision over Chris Berry (Bacone) 23-12 (Dec 5-3)

Champ. Round 2 - Michael Pixley (Lindsey Wilson) 20-0 won by decision over William Miller (Montana State-Northern) 23-6 (Dec 5-3)

Cons. Round 2 - William Miller (Montana State-Northern) 23-6 received a bye () (Bye)

Cons. Round 3 - Sterling Terry (Midland) 43-9 won by fall over William Miller (Montana State-Northern) 23-6 (Fall 2:41)

197 - Garrett DeMers (47-9) placed 6th and scored 13.00 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Garrett DeMers (Montana State-Northern) 47-9 won by fall over Jared McCoy (Morningside) 10-9 (Fall 0:53)

Champ. Round 2 - Garrett DeMers (Montana State-Northern) 47-9 won by fall over BJ Carman (St. Catherine) 29-15 (Fall 1:49)

Quarterfinal - Garrett DeMers (Montana State-Northern) 47-9 won by decision over Kasey Crump (Ottawa) 33-11 (Dec 7-4)

285 - Toby Cheff (17-1) placed 8th and scored 8.50 team points.

Champ. Round 1 - Toby Cheff (Montana State-Northern) 17-1 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 - Daniel Mueller (Missouri Valley) 30-16 won by decision over Toby Cheff (Montana State-Northern) 17-1 (Dec 6-3)

Cons. Round 2 - Toby Cheff (Montana State-Northern) 17-1 won by fall over Terrell Moore (Campbellsville) 13-10 (Fall 2:01)

Cons. Round 3 - Toby Cheff (Montana State-Northern) 17-1 won by decision over Luis Contreras (Missouri Baptist) 17-11 (Dec 2-1)

Cons. Round 4 - Toby Cheff (Montana State-Northern) 17-1 won by fall over Tracy Jewett (Life) 17-8 (Fall 4:26)