OMAHA, Neb. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons wrestling team opened up the second round of action at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Junior Derek Bomstad won both matches and advances to the semifinals, qualifying for All-American honors.

Bomstad advanced to the quarterfinals with a win over Nolan and took on Mitch Arnold (Newman). Bomstad defeated Arnold with a 4-3 decision to advance to the finals.

There he will face his toughest opponent in the tournament in Craig Becker, a senior from Wisconsin-Parkside with an overall record of 34-2. Head Coach Kris Nelson knows Bomstad is a darkhorse in the tournament and isn't done yet.

“He is not satisfied with qualifying for at least sixth place or the All-American honors,” Nelson said. “He wants that national championship. When he is on, he can wrestle with the best in the nation at his weight class.”

Fellow first time national qualifiers junior Brady Schneeberger and Corey Ulmer both finished their tournament play in the second session. Ulmer bounced back after a first round defeat to beat Matt Oliver (Newberry) with a 5-4 decision.

Ulmer advanced in the third place bracket to face Kenny Trumbetta (Seton Hill) in the final match up the second session. Trumbetta won in a narrow 2-0 decision.

Schneeberger went into the tournament as the only previously unranked regional champion from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Schneeberger faced off against Dallas Evans (Seton Hill) but lost his second 1-point match of the tournament.

For seniors Jarret Hall and Tim Johnson, the national tournament was the last chance for the two Dragons to make a run at All-American honors. After a match slipped away from Hall in the first round, Hall matched up against Curtis Chenowith (Newberry) in the third-place bracket. Chenowith advanced on a 10-3 decision.

Johnson had the most impressive bounce back win of any heavyweight in the tournament when he took on J.D. Ramsey (West Liberty State). Johnson wasted little time in dispensing with Ramsey, getting a pin just 18 seconds into the first period.


That win advanced to the semifinals where he faced Neil McGrath (Gannon). Gannon would advance to the semifinals with a 9-0 major decision. Nelson reacted after seeing his two seniors finish up their great careers at MSU-Moorhead.

"We wished we could have seen these guys go out with All-American Honors,” Nelson said. “They were great wrestlers for us and we are going to miss their experience and what they brought to this team."
Nelson was pleased with the overall performance of his wrestlers who finished up tournament play, most notably first time qualifiers Schneeberger and Ulmer.

“We were right there toe to toe with the best the tournament had to offer,” Nelson said. “Some third period points slipped away but these guys never gave up.” Both wrestlers are expected to come back next season and be regulars in the Dragon line-up.

“Hopefully getting a taste of the national tournament will fuel their passion to work hard this offseason,” Nelson said after the second session. Schneeberger was ranked No. 5 in the nation prior to the tournament and will look to improve even more this offseason.

In his first year as Head Coach of the MSU-Moorhead Dragon wrestling team, Nelson has already secured an All-American and will look to keep Bomstad on the winning track heading into session three which begins at 10 a.m. CST.