Lights shine bright in Iowa

Montanan State University-Northern head wrestling coach Tyson Thivierge knew how good his team was prior to the start of the 2018 NAIA national championships. Now, the rest of the NAIA does, too.

The Lights went to Des Moines, Iowa, for the NAIA national tournament ranked just 13th in the NAIA, and with no one in their lineup seeded higher than fifth in their bracket, so the mantra was "prove 'em wrong." And that's exactly what the Lights did.

Saturday night at the Jacobsen Expo Center in Des Moines, Northern capped a great run at the national tourney by scoring 81.5 points to grab the fourth-place trophy. MSU-N also left Iowa with five NAIA All-Americans, including two finalists in brothers Matt and Brandon Weber.

"Words can't really express how excited I am," Thivierge said Saturday night. "I'm proud of what these guys accomplished. They wrestled their guts out every match. They wanted to show what they were capable of and they did. They came here with a chip on their shoulder and that really pushed them. They accomplished a ton this weekend, including getting a trophy. So I'm ecstatic and really proud of these guys."

Northern did have so many bright spots this weekend, there's almost too many to mention. And it culminated with finals night, in which, for the second straight year, the Lights had a pair wrestling for national championships. And while it didn't quite end the way it hoped, as both Matt (141) and Brandon Weber (157) fell short in their bids for national titles, the night was special none the less.

"The Weber boys are gamers; they bring it every time they step on the mat," Thivierge said. "They both just ran into really tough matches. Both were really close. But they walked off the mat with their heads held high, and already talking about getting right back there next year."

Matt Weber, who is now a two-time All-American, reached the final with a spectacular victory Saturday morning over top-ranked and defending champion Josh Wenger of Grand View. That set up Saturday night's final against third-seeded Tyler Fraley of Williams Baptist, and the rivals needed sudden victory overtime and a couple of controversial replays to decide things. Weber led 3-2 in the third period, but things were knotted at 4-4 with time winding down in the third, when Fraley thought he had a winning takedown at the buzzer. But, instant replay decided there was no takedown. The situation came up again in the first overtime, as Fraley again looked like he'd scored with no time on the clock. The referee did call a takedown this time. Thivierge challenged, but the call wasn't overturned.

"It's a heartbreaker for Matt," Thivierge said. "And both those calls were questionable. That's why I challenged the second one. But Matt wrestled extremely well. He gave himself an opportunity to win a national championship tonight. He left it all out there, and that's what you want to see your guy do."

One match later, it was Brandon's turn. The junior, who was the reigning champ at 157 pounds, was seeded only seventh this weekend in Iowa, but he knocked off arch rival Drake Randall in the quarterfinals, then dominated Missouri Valley's Kenny Boyd in the semis to reach his second straight national championship bout. In the final against top-seeded and unbeaten Nosomy Pozo of Life, a two-time NJCAA national champion, Weber was strong on the defensive end, but had trouble scoring on the talented Pozo, in what ended in a 4-3 decision. And while it, too, was heartbreaking, Weber, who was sidelined this season for over a month with a knee injury, made a great run at winning another national championship, and he's not done yet either.

"Brandon did his part," Thivierge said. "He gave it everything he had. He wrestled extremely well. Pozo is a two-time junior college national champion. He's tough. It was a tough match. But Brandon knows he put it all out there, and when he came off the mat, he was already talking about next year. Making it to the finals two years in a row, that's extremely rare, and Brandon still has a chance to do something very few Northern wrestlers have ever done, and that's win two national championships."

And though Saturday night didn't have quite the storybook ending the Lights were hoping for, it was still a special run by Northern, one in which the Lights went 8-0 Saturday morning, with both Webers winning their semifinals, and the trio of Andrew and Isaac Bartel, and Chris Nile each winning twice in the consolation round to reach the third-place match. But Thivierge said the run to a trophy actually started Friday night.

"The wins in the quarterfinals, and the wins in the blood rounds (the round to make it to All-American) Friday night, is what got it started. We had a team meeting right before those rounds, and we said, let's keep this going, keep that chip on our shoulder. Let's get after it. And they did. They went on a 13-match winning streak. That's really special to do that at the national tournament."

The Lights were special. Isaac Bartel, a true freshman, lost in the quarterfinals, but bounced right back, winning three straight matches to reach the third-place match. There, he avenged his only loss, with a 3-2 win over Missouri Valley's Donavan Fouchey.

Andrew Bartel had an incredible run of his own. Seeded fifth at 165, he lost a 5-3 decision in the second round Friday, but he never blinked. Instead, he rattled off five straight wins, including an overtime victory in the round to make All-American, and two more one-point decisions, before falling to Diorian Coleman of Lindsey Wilson in SVO in the third-place match.

Nile, who finished the year on a major roll, reached the quarterfinals Friday before falling to top-seeded Lucas Lovvorn, rebounded to win three straight times, before falling to Menlo rival Anthony Orozco in the third-place match. The Lights also got two wins each from freshman Nick Kunz at 125 pounds and sophomore Landon Bailey at 133.

"Every one of our guys wrestled at an elite level," Thivierge said. "And they proved to everyone that they belonged here this weekend. I knew Chris Nile was a top-four guy, both Barts (Andrew and Isaac Bartel) were top-four guys. But they went out and proved it. That was all of our guy's motivation this weekend, to prove people wrong. And they did that. We had five All-Americans, who all finished higher than their seeds. And none of it was a fluke, none of it was luck. Our guys wrestled with a chip on their shoulder and they did prove a lot of people wrong."

Indeed. Coming in as the 13th-ranked team in the NAIA, and the fourth-place team from the Cascade Conference, few probably thought the Lights were capable of doing what they did this weekend. They contended for individual titles, they got five on the podium, and they pushed the envelope in a tournament that saw Grand View win its record seventh straight national title. But the Lights did more than just accomplish plenty of team and individual glory in Des Moines, they served notice that, they're here to stay. Northern doesn't have a single senior on its roster, and while the Lights are certainly going to enjoy the spoils of what they achieved at the 2018 national tournament, Thivierge said, the fire for 2019 has already been lit.

"Absolutely, every single one of these were already talking about next year," Thivierge said. "What they did this weekend was awesome, it's exciting and I'm really proud of them. But I'm with them - because of the confidence and motivation we're leaving here with, I can't wait to get back to work. I can't wait for next year. This team is just awesome to coach. They're so tight-knit, they're a real family, and I can't wait to coach them again next season."

2018 NAIA National Championships

Des Moines, Iowa

Team Scores

1 Grand View (Iowa) 171.5; 2 Cumberlands (Ky.) 107.0; 3 Williams Baptist (Ark.) 86.5; 4 Montana State-Northern 81.5; 5 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 76.0; 6 Missouri Valley 70.0; 7 Indiana Tech 54.5; 8 Life (Ga.) 53.5; 9 Providence (Mont.) 47.0; 10 Menlo (Calif.) 45.5; 11 Campbellsvile (Ky.) 45.0; 12 Baker (Kan.) 44.5; 12Southeastern (Fla.) 44.5; 14 Midland (Neb.) 40.0; 15 Hastings (Neb.) 32.5; 16 Southern Oregon 30.0; 17 York (Neb.) 23.0; 18 Doane (Neb.) 21.0; 19 Eastern Oregon 19.5; 20 Oklahoma City 19.0; 21Dickinson State (n.d.) 18.5; 22 Concordia (Neb.) 18.0; 22 Reinhardt (Ga.) 18.0; 24 Northwestern (Iowa) 17.0; 25 Benedictine (Kan.) 16.0; 26 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 15.5; 26 Kansas Wesleyan 15.5; 28 Simpson (Calif.) 13.5; 29 Marian (Ind.) 13.0; 30 Briar Cliff (Iowa) 9.0; 31 Morningside (Iowa) 8.0; 32 Missouri Baptist 7.5; 33Lourdes (Ohio) 6.0; 34 Cumberland (Tenn.) 4.5; 35 Jamestown (n.d.) 4.0; 35 St. Andrews (n.c.) 4.0; 37 Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) 3.5; 38 Bacone (Okla.) 3.0; 38 Brewton-Parker (Ga.) 3.0; 38 Calumet (Ind.) 3.0; 41 Bethany (Kan.) 2.0; 41 Lyon (Ark.) 2.0; 41 Waldorf (Iowa) 2.0; 44 Graceland (Iowa) 1.5; 44 Saint Mary (Kan.) 1.5; 44 Warner Pacific (Ore.) 1.5; 47 Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) 1.0; 47 Truett-McConnell (Ga.) 1.0.

Lights Individual Results

125 – Nick Kunz

Champ. Round 1 - Nick Kunz (Montana State-Northern) 26-20 won in tie breaker - 1 over Ray Porter (Lourdes (Ohio)) 11-7 (TB-1 8-6); Champ. Round 2 - 4 Hayden Lee (Cumberlands (Ky.)) 27-1 won by decision over Nick Kunz (Montana State-Northern) 26-20 (Dec 7-4); Cons. Round 2 - Nick Kunz (Montana State-Northern) 26-20 won by fall over Dylan Pelland (Baker (Kan.)) 17-14 (Fall 4:04); Cons. Round 3 - 12 Keegan Hessler (Morningside (Iowa)) 14-7 won by major decision over Nick Kunz (Montana State-Northern) 26-20 (MD 13-2).

133 – Landon Bailey

Champ. Round 1 - Landon Bailey (Montana State-Northern) 24-21 won by decision over Ethan Owen (Southeastern (Fla.)) 17-7 (Dec 13-10); Champ. Round 2 - 3 Gresh Jones (Dickinson State (n.d.)) 28-4 won by tech fall over Landon Bailey (Montana State-Northern) 24-21 (TF-1.5 5:38 (17-1)); Cons. Round 2 - Landon Bailey (Montana State-Northern) 24-21 won by decision over Jordan Pitt (Reinhardt (Ga.)) 14-11 (Dec 15-8); Cons. Round 3 - Haidon Allen (Saint Mary (Kan.)) 26-16 won by decision over Landon Bailey (Montana State-Northern) 24-21 (Dec 7-4).

141 – Matt Weber (2nd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - 5 Matt Weber (Montana State-Northern) 33-11 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - 5 Matt Weber (Montana State-Northern) 33-11 won by decision over 12 Alex Gomez (Benedictine (Kan.)) 24-12 (Dec 7-3); Quarterfinal - 5 Matt Weber (Montana State-Northern) 33-11 won by decision over Jake Watters (Southeastern (Fla.)) 18-9 (Dec 7-2); Semifinal - 5 Matt Weber (Montana State-Northern) 33-11 won by decision over 1 Josh Wenger (Grand View (Iowa)) 21-4 (Dec 7-5); 1st Place Match - 3 Tyler Fraley (Williams Baptist (Ark.)) 15-2 won in sudden victory - 1 over 5 Matt Weber (Montana State-Northern) 33-11 (SV-1 6-4).

157 – Brandon Weber (2nd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - 7 Brandon Weber (Montana State-Northern) 26-8 won by decision over Wyatt Gerl (Hastings (Neb.)) 12-5 (Dec 7-2); Champ. Round 2 - 7 Brandon Weber (Montana State-Northern) 26-8 won by major decision over 10 Thomas Garty (Indiana Tech) 25-10 (MD 15-4; Quarterfinal - 7 Brandon Weber (Montana State-Northern) 26-8 won by decision over 2 Drake Randall (Eastern Oregon) 31-10 (Dec 5-2); Semifinal - 7 Brandon Weber (Montana State-Northern) 26-8 won by major decision over 11 Kenny Boyd (Missouri Valley) 33-10 (MD 12-2); 1st Place Match - 1 Nosomy Pozo (Life (Ga.)) 26-1 won by decision over 7 Brandon Weber (Montana State-Northern) 26-8 (Dec 4-3).

165 – Andrew Bartel (4th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - 5 Andrew Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 41-12 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - 12 Brett Johnson (Marian (Ind.)) 32-17 won by decision over 5 Andrew Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 41-12 (Dec 5-3); Cons. Round 2 - 5 Andrew Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 41-12 won by major decision over Mason Gaines (Indiana Tech) 21-17 (MD 12-4; Cons. Round 3 - 5 Andrew Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 41-12 won in tie breaker - 1 over Dominic Evans (Midland (Neb.)) 21-20 (TB-1 9-6); Cons. Round 4 - 5 Andrew Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 41-12 won by decision over Austin Coy (York (Neb.)) 17-10 (Dec 2-1); Cons. Round 5 - 5 Andrew Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 41-12 won by fall over 11 Angel del Cueto (Southeastern (Fla.)) 17-8 (Fall 4:38); Cons. Semi - 5 Andrew Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 41-12 won by decision over 12 Brett Johnson (Marian (Ind.)) 32-17 (Dec 3-2); 3rd Place Match - 7 Diorian Coleman (Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)) 16-5 won in sudden victory - 1 over 5 Andrew Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 41-12 (SV-1 3-1).

174 – Chris Nile (4th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - 9 Chris Nile (Montana State-Northern) 21-9 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - 9 Chris Nile (Montana State-Northern) 21-9 won by decision over 8 Keion McVay (Williams Baptist (Ark.)) 14-7 (Dec 7-2); Quarterfinal - 1 Lucas Lovvorn (Baker (Kan.)) 35-4 won by decision over 9 Chris Nile (Montana State-Northern) 21-9 (Dec 8-2); Cons. Round 4 - 9 Chris Nile (Montana State-Northern) 21-9 won by fall over Kody Davis (Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)) 14-16 (Fall 3:57; Cons. Round 5 - 9 Chris Nile (Montana State-Northern) 21-9 won by decision over 7 Colton Gonzalez (Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)) 15-8 (Dec 2-1); Cons. Semi - 9 Chris Nile (Montana State-Northern) 21-9 won by decision over 3 Justin Brown (Campbellsvile (Ky.)) 32-5 (Dec 3-1); 3rd Place Match - 4 Anthony Orozco (Menlo (Calif.)) 27-6 won by decision over 9 Chris Nile (Montana State-Northern) 21-9 (Dec 8-2).

184 – Steeler French

Champ. Round 1 - Steeler French (Montana State-Northern) 18-18 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - 4 Zach Linton (Doane (Neb.)) 33-2 won by decision over Steeler French (Montana State-Northern) 18-18 (Dec 6-1); Cons. Round 2 - 3 Joshua Chiles (Williams Baptist (Ark.)) 23-3 won by fall over Steeler French (Montana State-Northern) 18-18 (Fall 3:47).

197 – Isaac Bartel (3rd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - 5 Isaac Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 39-9 received a bye () (Bye); Champ. Round 2 - 5 Isaac Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 39-9 won by decision over 12 Jovan Villalobos (Menlo (Calif.)) 25-12 (Dec 7-2); Quarterfinal - 4 Donavan Fouchey (Missouri Valley) 21-9 won by decision over 5 Isaac Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 39-9 (Dec 3-2); Cons. Round 4 - 5 Isaac Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 39-9 won by decision over Cody Johnson (Dickinson State (n.d.)) 13-9 (Dec 12-6); Cons. Round 5 - 5 Isaac Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 39-9 won by decision over 8 Eric Deluse (Cumberlands (Ky.)) 19-10 (Dec 2-1); Cons. Semi - 5 Isaac Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 39-9 won by decision over 6 David Dow (Baker (Kan.)) 27-7 (Dec 3-2); 3rd Place Match - 5 Isaac Bartel (Montana State-Northern) 39-9 won by decision over 4 Donavan Fouchey (Missouri Valley) 21-9 (Dec 3-2).