University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Gaethje and Hashimoto Head To Omaha For NCAA Championship
3/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
RELATED CLICKS
Complete Notes | NCAA Tournament Central
Going Dancing
Northern
Colorado is sending both senior Kenny Hashimoto (141 pounds) and
junior Justin Gaethje (157 pounds) to the NCAA Championship for the
second time in their careers. Hashimoto is making his first trip to
the NCAAs since 2006-07, while this is Gaethje's
second-straight appearance. Both sport records of 0-2 in
post-season action.
All-Conference
Both
seniors Tony Mustari (125 pounds) and Kenny Hashimoto (141 pounds)
were named third-team all-conference by the Western Wrestling
Conference after each placed third at the NCAA West Regional in
Brookings, South Dakota. Mustari ends his career as a three-time
all-conference selection, while Hashimoto is a two-time
pick.
2010 West Regional
Recap
Kenny Hashimoto finished third at the NCAA West Regional at 141 pounds to
earn one of the league's three automatic bids to the NCAA
Tournament. The Bears finished in seventh place at the regionals,
scoring 18.5 points. Wyoming snapped Northern Iowa's run of
24 straight regional titles, scoring 75 points to squeak past the
Panthers who tallied 74.5. North Dakota State (44.5), Utah Valley
(43.5), Air Force (37.5) and South Dakota State (29.5) rounded out
the scoring. Senior 125-pounder Tony Mustari also finished third,
while junior Justin Gaethje finished fourth at 157 pounds. Senior
Justin Tuell posted a 1-2 record at 285 pounds, while freshmen
Justin Gonzales (149) and Kevin O'Brien (165) also went 1-2
on the afternoon. Brett Bahe (133), Brandon Kammerzell (174),
Patrick Prentice (184) and Ed Matthews (197) all went 0-2 at
regionals.
Final Rankings
In
the third and final NCAA Division I wrestling RPI rankings and
coaches panel rankings, the Northern Colorado squad has both senior
Kenny Hashimoto (141 pounds) and junior Justin Gaethje (157 pounds)
appearing in both rankings. Hashimoto is No. 14 in the RPI ranking
and second among Western Wrestling Conference competitors as Air
Force's Cole VonOhlen is ninth. In the coaches panel,
Hashimoto ranks 22nd, trailing VonOhlen who is No. 18. Gaethje is
also No. 14 in the RPI and is the top-ranked WWC wrestler at 157
pounds. Both Tyson Reiner (21) from Northern Iowa and Vince
Salminen (24) from South Dakota State also rank among the top 25.
IN the coaches panel, Reiner ranks 29th, while Gaethje sits in
30th.
First To 20
Junior
Justin Gaethje (157) became the first Bear to 20 wins in the
2009-10 season with his fall against North Dakota State. Gaethje is
24-13 this season and now 56-28 in his career. He has six more wins
than any other teammate this season and ranks among the top 10 in
the Western Wrestling Conference in terms of wins. Gaethje also
posted the best mark of any teammate in Western Wrestling
Conference action this season with his record of 5-1.
Division I NCAA
History
The
Bears have finished among the top 25 in terms of team finishes 13
times in NCAA Division I history, placing as high as ninth in
1945-46. The 1968-69 team was the last to place among the top 25,
placing 13th overall in the final season as Division I before going
to Division II. The Bears have also had two Division I National
Champions in Len Lordino (191 pounds, 1961) and Jack Flasche (157
pounds, 1962) during their illustrious career. The last national
champion for Northern Colorado was Scott Hewit in 1999 at Division
II, when he won the title at 157 pounds.
Now Appearing
With
his two wins at the NCAA West Regional, senior Tony Mustari (125)
placed himself on the all-time wins list in Northern Colorado
history with 90. Mustari passes Lanny Paulson (1980-83) and Marty
Vigil (1988-92), who are tied for ninth on the chart with 88 wins.
Mustari ends his stellar career with the Bears with a 90-42
career-mark, a three-time All-Western Wrestling Conference
selection and a three-time NCAA participant.
Honored - Twice
Both
junior Justin Gaethje (157) and senior Kenny Hashimoto (141) have
been named Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Week this
season. Hashimoto earned the award after his 4-0 performance at the
Northeast Collegiate Duals, while Gaethje was honored after his
wins against Ohio and fifth-ranked Minnesota.
Quick Pin
The
award for quickest pin this season goes to senior Justin Tuell
(285) at just 15 seconds. Tuell recorded his fall over William
Lewman from Western Wyoming in the second round of the Old
Chicago's Open. Northern Colorado has recorded 27 falls so
far this season with senior Tony Mustari (125) and sophomore Casey Cruz (133/141) tied for the team lead with four each. Senior Kenny Hashimoto (141) has a team-best 21 falls for his career with the
Bears.
