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St. Cloud State University
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Wrestlers head into postseason
By Ryan K. Dale
Published:
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Media Credit: scott theisen
Jon Duncombe (174 pounds), Dustin Darveaux (heavyweight) and Matt Neumueller (165 pounds) have emerged as leaders on the SCSU wrestling team.
Everyone knows the old saying, "there is no I in team."
But, there is an 'I' in individual and that is what matters in the season-ending NCC and NCAA wrestling championships for the SCSU wrestling team.
The Huskies have three wrestlers with a realistic shot at qualifying for the NCAA tournament, and two others who could possibly make it if they wrestle their hearts out this weekend in Fargo, home of the 2003 NCC Championships.
"This is where I think we can shine, because this is all individual as opposed to dual," coach Steve Grimit said. "We have some guys who can place very high in the conference and in nationals. It's very rare to have a national champion, we've only had one champion here (Gene Hanneman 1985)."
In order to qualify for nationals, the wrestlers have to finish in the top four in the conference tournament.
This year the Huskies could possibly have three national champions: No. 5 Matt Neumueller at 165 pounds, No. 7 Jon Duncombe at 174 pounds and No. 2 Dustin Darveaux at heavyweight.
"I think Duncombe, Neumueller and Darveaux all have a shot at being national champions. That's exciting," Grimit said.
Last year Darveaux and Duncombe placed fourth in the NCC tournament and both were in the top eight nationally to qualify as All-Americans. Duncombe has been plagued by injuries all season, but looks as close to 100 percent as he has all year.
Darveaux on the other hand has been on cruise control all season. The senior knows this is his last chance to be a national champion and takes his 33-2 record into the tough competition Sunday in Fargo.
"Darveaux's having a great year at 33-12, Neumueller is having a super year and Duncombe has been slowed by injury, but is getting better," Grimit said.
What Darveaux has done this year was almost expected, but what Neumueller accomplished this season didn't look as realistic in the beginning of the season. All that changed when he lost on Dec. 7 at the Northern Iowa Open. After that defeat he went on to win every match until he was defeated Feb. 14 at South Dakota State University.
During Neumueller's two month winning streak, he was the No. 1 wrestler in the country (D-II) and has a chance to become a champion in his final year as a Husky.
"Got to focus on this Sunday first, got to get through this one [NCC] before I can move on to the next one [NCAA]," Neumueller said.
It would be easy to look ahead to Wheeling, W.V., and the NCAA's, but his competition is going to be tough. The last two years at 165 pounds the NCC has had three of four wrestlers sent to the tournament become All-Americans.
"It's going to be tough. I lost to two of the conference guys from North Dakota [Mike Fielder] and South Dakota [Tyler Brandt]. One was in overtime and the other by one point," Neumueller said. "It's better to lose the matches in a dual meet than this Sunday. I know what I have to do to win the matches and now it will be my turn to come back and beat them. I'll hopefully be in the top four. That's my goal."
"But it won't be an easy ride, just about every match will be tough."
Neumueller has been close before, including missing out on being an All-American as a sophomore by one point. This time he feels like he is more prepared.
"I feel more comfortable and try not to put too much pressure on myself," Neumueller said. If I put too much pressure on myself I'll freeze up and it'll be a long weekend."
The other two wrestlers that Grimit believes have a chance to qualify for nationals are Derek Miller at 133 pounds and Luke Pohlmeier at 197 pounds. Both have stepped it up at the right time and their performances are just starting to peak now.
"The key is to wrestle hard," Grimit said. "It's one day and anything can happen. You have to take it one match at a time and work our offense and have fun. Whoever steps it up will win."
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