NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships

College wrestling tournament

NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships

Association| NCAA
Sport| College wrestling
Founded| 1963; 62 years ago (1963)
Division| Division II
No. of teams| 42 of 59 (2015)
Country|  United States
Most recent
champion(s)| Central Oklahoma (9th)
Most titles| Central Oklahoma (9)
Official website| NCAA.com

The NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships for individuals and teams were first officially sponsored in 1963 and have since been held annually.[1]

The NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships is a double-elimination tournament for individuals competing in ten weight classes. Sixteen wrestlers in each class[2] qualify through four "Super Regional" tournaments.[3] During the championships, individual match winners earn points based on the level and quality of the victory, which are totaled to determine the team championship standings.

In addition to determining the national championship, the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships also determine the Division II All-America team. The top eight finishers in each weight class qualify for Division II All-American status.

On March 13, 2020, the NCAA cancelled all of its 2020 wrestling championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

## Team champions

[edit]

* Prior to 1963, only a single national championship was held for all members of the NCAA; Division II competition began in 1963, with Division III following in 1974. [1][5]
* Names used are those current in the years listed.

Year | Host city
(Host institution) | Team championship | Most Outstanding Wrestler
(Team) (Weight)

|
|
|

Winner | Points | Runner-up | Points
1963  | Cedar Falls, IA
(State College of Iowa) | Western State (CO) (1) | 62  | Southern Illinois | 57  | Not awarded
1964  | Cedar Falls, IA
(State College of Iowa) | Western State (CO) (2) | 51  | Colorado School of Mines | 49  | Not awarded
1965  | Golden, CO
(Colorado School of Mines) | Mankato State (1) | 57  | Cal Poly | 54  | Not awarded
1966  | Mankato, MN
(Mankato State College) | Cal Poly (1) | 55  | Wilkes | 51  | Warren Crow
(Albany) (123)
1967  | Wilkes-Barre, PA
(Wilkes College) | Portland State (1) | 86  | Mankato State | 57  | Rich Sanders
(Portland State) (115)
1968  | Mankato, MN
(Mankato State College) | Cal Poly (2) | 91  | Portland State | 62  | Rich Sanders
(Portland State) (123)
1969  | San Luis Obispo, CA
(California State Polytechnic College) | Cal Poly (3) | 127  | Colorado State College | 81  | Carl Ragland
(Old Dominion) (152)
1970  | Ashland, OH
(Ashland College) | Cal Poly (4) | 82  | Northern Iowa | 58  | Terry Hall
(Cal Poly) (118)
1971  | Fargo, ND
(North Dakota State University) | Cal Poly (5) | 118  | Slippery Rock State | 58  | Stan Dziedzic
(Slippery Rock State) (150)
1972  | Oswego, NY
(State University of New York at Oswego) | Cal Poly (6) | 94  | North Dakota State
Northern Iowa | 651⁄2 | Wade Schalles
(Clarion State) (150)
1973  | Brookings, SD
(South Dakota State University) | Cal Poly (7) | 108  | Clarion State | 80  | Larry Morgan
(Cal Poly) (134)
1974  | Fullerton, CA
(California State University, Fullerton) | Cal Poly (8) | 112  | Northern Iowa | 951⁄2 | Floyd Hitchcock
(Bloomsburg State) (177)
1975  | East Stroudsburg, PA
(East Stroudsburg State College) | Northern Iowa (1) | 124  | SIU Edwardsville | 711⁄2 | Randy Batten
(Chattanooga) (118)
1976  | Fargo, ND
(North Dakota State University) | Cal State Bakersfield (1) | 921⁄2 | Chattanooga | 881⁄4 | Rick Jensen
(South Dakota State) (126)
1977  | Cedar Falls, IA
(University of Northern Iowa) | Cal State Bakersfield (2) | 1071⁄4 | Augustana (SD) | 78  | Franc Affentranger
(Cal State Bakersfield) (134)
1978  | Cedar Falls, IA
(University of Northern Iowa) | Northern Iowa (2) | 124  | Cal State Bakersfield | 1001⁄2 | John Azevedo
(Cal State Bakersfield) {118)
1979  | Brookings, SD
(South Dakota State University) | Cal State Bakersfield (3) | 1123⁄4 | Eastern Illinois | 1121⁄2 | Joe Gonzales
(Cal State Bakersfield) {118)
1980  | Omaha, NE
(University of Nebraska Omaha) | Cal State Bakersfield (4) | 1101⁄2 | Northern Iowa | 89  | Brian Parlet
(Augustana (SD)) (177)
1981  | Davis, CA
(University of California, Davis) | Cal State Bakersfield (5) | 1441⁄2 | Eastern Illinois | 98  | Dan Cuestas
(Cal State Bakersfield) (126)
1982  | Kenosha, WI
(University of Wisconsin–Parkside) | Cal State Bakersfield (6) | 1661⁄2 | North Dakota State | 783⁄4 | Mike Langlais
(North Dakota State) (142)
1983  | Fargo, ND
(North Dakota State University) | Cal State Bakersfield (7) | 1071⁄2 | North Dakota State | 1033⁄4 | Jessie Reyes
(Cal State Bakersfield) (142)
1984  | Baltimore, MD
(Morgan State University) | SIU Edwardsville (1) | 1411⁄2 | Cal State Bakersfield | 93  | John Davis
(Morgan State) (158)
1985  | Fairborn, OH
(Wright State University) | SIU Edwardsville (2) | 1323⁄4 | Nebraska–Omaha | 841⁄4 | Koln Knight
(Augustana College (SD)) (190)
1986  | Edwardsville, IL
(Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) | SIU Edwardsville (3) | 119  | Edinboro | 1061⁄2 | Koln Knight
(Augustana (SD)) (190)
1987  | Edwardsville, IL
(Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville) | California State Bakersfield (8) | 901⁄2 | SIU Edwardsville | 691⁄2 | Daryl Pope
(Cal State Bakersfield) (184)
1988  | Omaha, NE
(University of Nebraska Omaha) | North Dakota State (1) | 88  | Nebraska–Omaha | 813⁄4 | Carlton Haselrig
(Pittsburgh–Johnstown) (Hwt.)
1989  | California, PA
(California University of Pennsylvania) | Portland State (2) | 1021 ⁄2 | Ferris State | 56 1⁄4 | Dan Russell
(Portland State) (150)
1990  | Kenosha, WI
(University of Wisconsin–Parkside) | Portland State (3) | 1003⁄4 | Central State (OK) | 96  | Dan Russell
(Portland State) (158)
1991  | Fargo, ND
(North Dakota State University) | Nebraska–Omaha (1) | 791⁄2 | Central State (OK) | 64  | Dan Russell
{Portland State) (167)
1992  | Greeley, CO
(University of Northern Colorado) | Central Oklahoma (1) | 911⁄2 | North Dakota State
Portland State | 781⁄2 | Mike Leberknight
(Northern Colorado) (177)
1993  | Brookings, SD
(South Dakota State University) | Central Oklahoma (2) | 1081⁄2 | Nebraska–Omaha | 68  | Glen Frank
(Colorado School of Mines) (134)
1994  | Pueblo, CO
(University of Southern Colorado) | Central Oklahoma (3) | 1271⁄4 | Mankato State | 671⁄2 | Brian Melchiori
(Central Oklahoma) (126)
1995  | Kearney, NE
(University of Nebraska at Kearney) | Central Oklahoma (4) | 148  | Nebraska–Omaha | 103  | Brian Kapusta
(North Dakota State) (118)
1996  | Greeley, CO
(University of Northern Colorado) | Pittsburgh–Johnstown (1) | 861⁄2 | Central Oklahoma | 811⁄2 | Chad Lamer
(South Dakota State) (190)
1997  | Fargo, ND
(North Dakota State University) | San Francisco State (1) | 95  | Nebraska–Omaha | 81  | Nate Hendrickson
(Moorhead State) (167)
1998  | Pueblo, CO
(University of Southern Colorado) | North Dakota State (2) | 112  | South Dakota State | 78  | Travis King
(South Dakota State) (150)
1999  | Omaha, NE
(University of Nebraska Omaha) | Pittsburgh–Johnstown (2) | 110  | Nebraska–Omaha | 1051⁄2 | Jody Strittmatter
(Pittsburgh–Johnstown) (125)
2000  | Brookings, SD
(South Dakota State University) | North Dakota State (3) | 911⁄2 | Central Oklahoma | 75  | Kris Nelson
(North Dakota State) (133)
2001  | Greeley, CO
(University of Northern Colorado) | North Dakota State (4) | 981⁄2 | South Dakota State | 91  | Steve Saxlund
(North Dakota State) (184)
2002  | Kenosha, WI
(University of Wisconsin–Parkside) | Central Oklahoma (5) | 128  | North Dakota State | 1161⁄2 | Todd Fuller
(North Dakota State) (174)
2003  | Wheeling, WV
(West Liberty State College) | Central Oklahoma (6) | 871⁄2 | Nebraska–Kearney | 731⁄2 | Cole Province
(Central Oklahoma) (133)
2004  | Mankato, MN
(Minnesota State University, Mankato) | Nebraska–Omaha (2) | 971⁄2 | North Dakota State | 95  | Waylon Lowe
(Findlay) (165)
2005  | Omaha, NE
(University of Nebraska Omaha) | Nebraska–Omaha (3) | 1091⁄2 | Augustana (SD) | 101  | Tom Meester
(Augustana (SD)) (184)
2006  | Findlay, OH
(University of Findlay) | Nebraska–Omaha (4) | 117  | Nebraska–Kearney | 981⁄2 | Les Sigman
(Nebraska–Omaha) (Hwt.)
2007  | Kearney, NE
(University of Nebraska at Kearney) | Central Oklahoma (7) | 1241⁄2 | Nebraska–Kearney | 1081⁄2 | J.D. Naig
(Nebraska–Omaha) (174)
2008  | Cedar Rapids, IA
(Upper Iowa University) | Nebraska–Kearney (1) | 1081⁄2 | Minnesota State | 108  | Cody Garcia
(Nebraska–Omaha) (125)
2009  | Houston, TX
(NCAA Division II) | Nebraska–Omaha (5) | 1461⁄2 | Newberry | 801⁄2 | Joe Kemmerer
(Kutztown) (133)
2010  | Omaha, NE
(University of Nebraska Omaha) | Nebraska–Omaha (6) | 131  | Augustana (SD) | 72  | Shane Valko
(Pittsburgh–Johnstown) (133)
2011  | Kearney, NE
(University of Nebraska at Kearney) | Nebraska–Omaha (7) | 1021⁄2 | St. Cloud State | 901⁄2 | Donovan McMahill
(Western State (CO)) (197)
2012  | Pueblo, CO
(Colorado State University Pueblo) | Nebraska–Kearney (2) | 107  | St. Cloud State | 95  | Luke McPeek
(Adams State) (197)
2013  | Birmingham, AL
(NCAA Division II) | Nebraska–Kearney (3) | 108  | St. Cloud State | 105  | Shamus O’Grady
(St. Cloud State) (184)
2014  | Cleveland, OH
(NCAA Division II) | Notre Dame (OH) (1) | 991⁄2 | Nebraska–Kearney | 641⁄2 | Casy Rowell
(Central Oklahoma) (133)
2015  | St. Louis, MO
(Maryville University) | St. Cloud State (1) | 841⁄2 | Nebraska–Kearney | 761⁄2 | Chris Watson
(Central Oklahoma) (165)
2016  | Sioux Falls, SD
(Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
& Sioux Falls Sports Authority) | St. Cloud State (2) | 90  | Notre Dame (OH) | 82  | Joey Davis
(Notre Dame (OH)) (184)
2017  | Birmingham, AL
(University of Alabama in Huntsville) | Notre Dame (OH) (2) | 103.5  | St. Cloud State | 67  | DeAndre’ Johnson
(Limestone) (157),
2018  | Cedar Rapids, IA
(Upper Iowa University) | St. Cloud State (3) | 92.5  | Notre Dame (OH) | 84  | Nick Becker
(Wisconsin–Parkside) (174)
2019  | Cleveland, OH
(NCAA Division II) | St. Cloud State (4) | 95.5  | Wheeling Jesuit | 87.5  | Shane Ruhnke
(Millersville) (165)
2020  | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021  | St. Louis, MO
(NCAA Division II) | St. Cloud State (5) | 107  | Nebraska–Kearney | 105.5  | Lukas Martin
(Fairmont State) (149)
2022  | St. Louis, MO
(NCAA Division II) | Nebraska–Kearney (4) | 127  | Central Oklahoma | 86  | Darrell Mason
(Minnesota State) (285)
2023  | Cedar Rapids, IA
(NCAA Division II) | Central Oklahoma (8) | 121  | Lander | 78  | Josiah Rider
(Adams State) (149)
2024  | Wichita, KS
(NCAA Division II) | Central Oklahoma (9) | 110  | Lander | 86.5  |
Reference:[6][1][7]

Note: Shaded scores = Closest margin of victory, 1⁄4 point in 1979 & widest margin of victory, 881⁄4 points in 1982.

## Team titles

[edit]

* List updated through the 2024 Championships

Team  | #  | Winning years

|
|

Central Oklahoma | 9 | 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2023, 2024
Cal Poly | 8 | 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974
Cal State Bakersfield | 8 | 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987
Nebraska–Omaha | 7 | 1991, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011A
St. Cloud State | 5 | 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021
Nebraska–Kearney | 4 | 2008, 2012, 2013, 2022, 2025
North Dakota State | 4 | 1988, 1998, 2000, 2001
Portland State | 3 | 1967, 1989, 1990
SIU Edwardsville | 3 | 1984, 1985, 1986
Northern Iowa | 2 | 1975, 1978
Notre Dame (OH) | 2 | 2014, 2017
Pitt–Johnstown | 2 | 1996, 1999
Western Colorado | 2 | 1963, 1964B
Minnesota State | 1 | 1965C
San Francisco State | 1 | 1997

* A = Nebraska–Omaha brands itself as Omaha
* B = Western State (CO) is now Western Colorado
* C = Mankato State is now Minnesota State

### Winning streaks

[edit]

Source[1]

School  | Team titles  | Years

|
|

Cal Poly  | 7  | 1968–1974
Cal State Bakersfield  | 5  | 1979–1983
Central Oklahoma  | 4  | 1992–1995
SIU Edwardsville  | 3  | 1984–1986
Nebraska–Omaha  | 3  | 2004–2006
Nebraska–Omaha  | 3  | 2009–2011

## Division II wrestlers to Division I championships

[edit]

Sources[8] [9]

Through 1989, the Division II finalists advanced to the Division I championships, held the following week, where many athletes earned All-American recognition in two divisions during the same season. This practice was discontinued after Carlton Haselrig of the Pittsburgh–Johnstown Mountain Cats won the Division II heavyweight title and advanced to Division I, where he also won the heavyweight title three years in a row, 1987–89.

## Former Division II team champions now in Division I

[edit]

Source[10]

School  | Championships  | Year moved  | Current wrestling conference  | Note

|
|
|
|

Cal Poly | 8–1966, 1968–74  | 1975  | Pac-12 Conference[f 1] |
Portland State | 3–1969, 1989–90  | 1996  | —  | Dropped wrestling in 2009 for economic reasons
Cal State Bakersfield | 8–1976–77, 1979–83, 1987  | 1988  | Pac-12 Conference[f 2] |
UNI | 2–1975, 1978  | 1982  | Big 12 Conference[f 3] | Won single division (now DI) title in 1950
SIUE | 3–1984–86  | 2009  | Southern Conference[f 4] |
North Dakota State | 4–1988, 1998, 2000–01  | 2004  | Big 12 Conference[f 5] |
Omaha | 7–1991, 2004–06, 2009–11  | 2012  | —  | School dropped wrestling at start of its transition to Division I[f 6]

Notes

1. ^ Primary conference: Big West
2. ^ Primary conference: WAC
3. ^ Primary conference: Missouri Valley
4. ^ Primary conference: Ohio Valley
5. ^ Primary conference: Summit League
6. ^ Omaha coach Mike Denny and several wrestlers moved to Maryville University to begin a "new" program.[11]

## See also

[edit]

* NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
* NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships
* NAIA national wrestling championship
* Pre-NCAA Wrestling Champion
* U Sports (Canada)
* Intercollegiate women's wrestling champions

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Division II Wrestling Championships Records Book" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
2. ^ "2015 NCAA Division II Championships (Brackets)" (PDF). NCAA. March 2, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
3. ^ "Breakdown, 2015 Super Regions" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
4. ^ "2020 NCAA Tournament canceled due to growing threat of coronavirus pandemic".
5. ^ "First time for everything". NCAA. March 15, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
6. ^ "Division II Wrestling Championships Records Book" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
7. ^ "History confirmed". NCAA. March 25, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
8. ^ "Wrestling Division II Highlights and History, 2014-15" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
9. ^ "Wrestling Division I Highlights and History, 2014-15" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
10. ^ "NCAA Sports Sponsorship". NCAA. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
11. ^ "Wrestling coach rebounds at Maryville after setback". St.Louis Post-Dispatch/St.Louis Today. March 13, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2015.

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[edit]

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