Frazee standout making a push for regionals and nationals

By Robert Williams

Editor

Redshirt freshman Luke Tweeton, of Frazee, picked up two big victories for the No. 14-ranked University of Mary wrestling team during the final home weekend of the season.

The Marauders (13-4, 6-3 NSIC) had a strong showing against one of the most formidable squads in the nation, No. 5 St. Cloud State (13-1, 6-1 NSIC). 

The Huskies defeated U-Mary 19-13.

After four matches, the teams were tied 6-6 heading into Tweeton’s duel against heavyweight Elijah Novak. Tied 1-1 in the waning seconds, Tweeton shot in on a single-leg takedown, gained control of Novak with just 3-seconds remaining to seal the victory and give U-Mary a 9-6 advantage.

The Marauders led 13-12 with two matches to go, but St. Cloud State got a decision from No. 8 Joey Bianchini and a major decision by No. 2 Nick Novak (157) to earn the six-point victory.

The Huskies win on Friday marked their second dual victory of the season over the Marauders. St. Cloud State has won five national titles since 2015, along with four runners-up finishes since 2011.

U-Mary wrestled their final home dual of the season Saturday against Northern State University (9-5, 4-4 NSIC) and Tweeton had another big win.

According to the school’s match report, Tweeton showed grit in the heavyweight matchup, picking up a 3-2 decision to keep the Marauders within one team point going down to the final two matches.

After a 125-pound decision, Northern led by four points. The Marauders needed a big performance from No. 3-ranked 133-pounder Reece Barnhardt, who delivered with an exhilarating effort, picking up a 10-2 major decision to tie the team score at 17-17. The tiebreaker came down to match points, which favored Northern State by a total of 64-55, giving the Wolves the dual victory.

Tweeton and U-Mary will prepare for the NCAA D-II Super Regional V on Saturday, Feb. 25 in Aberdeen, S.D. 

A wrestler placing third or higher in their weight class at regionals will punch a ticket to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the NCAA II National Tournament March 10-11.

In a storied high school career for Frazee, Tweeton placed three times at state: runner-up in 2020 and 2018, and a fourth place finish in 2017. He was a Rumble on the Red tournament champion in 2019 and holds a Northern Plains Greco Roman title. Luke is the son of Dan and Tracey Tweeton.