OMAHA, Neb. – The opening round of the NCAA Division II National Championships went underway at 11 a.m. on the campus of Nebraska-Omaha. The No. 19 Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons sent five wrestlers to the tournament looking to make their mark since moving into the national polls.
Sophomore Corey Ulmer kicked off the action for the Dragons in the 125-pound weight class. Ulmer took on Arsenia Barksdale (Adams State) in the opening round but was pinned at the 5:52 mark. Ulmer moves to the third-place bracket where he will take on Matt Oliver (Newberry College).
Junior Brady Schneeberger took the mat later on for the Dragons in the 141-pound weight class and faced off against Cory Bloodgood (Central Missouri). Bloodgood advanced on a 7-8 decision by a total riding time of one second. Schneeberger, the Super III Regional Champion, will look to take the third place title and will begin the run with a match against Dallas Evans (Seton Hill).
Junior Derek Bomstad took second in the 149-pound weight class at the regional tournament and look to continue his success at the national level. Bomstad took on Josh Nolan (San Francisco State) and defeated Nolan with a 6-3 decision. Bomstad moves to the quarterfinals where he will take on Mitch Arnold (Newman).
Senior Jarret Hall finished with a third place finish at the regional tournament at 174 pounds and took on Cody Vasconcellos (Chadron State). Hall fell in a 4-7 decision to Vasconcellos and will move to the third place bracket where he will face Curtis Chenoweth (Newberry).
Senior Tim Johnson, who also took third at the regional tournament as a heavyweight, faced off against Steve Franklin (San Francisco State) in the opening round of the 285-pound weight class. Franklin won the match with a 9-4 decision and Johnson moves on to the third-place bracket where he will take on J.D. Ramsey (West Liberty State).
All matches will be part of the second session, which begins at 6:00 p.m. A final first day recap will be available at the conclusion of the second round.
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Updated Bracket After Round 1