By Chris Cody

Special to the Forum

Outstanding performances by Reece Barnhardt and Luke Tweeton (Frazee) saw them punch their tickets to the 2024 NCAA Division II wrestling championships after taking home the gold at the NCAA Super Regional V.

No. Reece Barnhardt (133) started things off with an 8-0 major decision victory over Upper Iowa’s James Davis. The Bismarck, ND, native advanced to the finals after he pinned Minot State’s Wayne Joint at the 6:31 mark. Barnhardt won the Super Regional V 133-pound weight class after his opponent forfeited in the final.

No. 7 Luke Tweeton (285) opened his day by defeating Northern State’s Nathan Shauer by a 2-1 sudden victory. Tweeton then qualified for nationals after he defeated Minnesota State University’s Tanner Gaffney by a 3-2 decision victory in overtime. The Frazee native won the title in dominant fashion, winning an 11-1 major decision over Parkside’s Lloyd Reynolds.

The University of Mary wrestling team had a school record nine student-athletes place in the top six at the Super Regional V. Overall, UMary finished fourth in the team standings with a team score of 101.5.

Head Coach Adam Aho (Frazee) is in his 13th season leading the UMary wrestling program

UMary placed 13th at the 2023 NCAA championships, qualified four for the NCAA national tournament and finished 3rd in the Northern Sun, all program bests.

The 2024 NCAA DII wrestling championship will be held March 15-16 in Wichita, Kansas at Hartman Arena. DII national qualifiers were released here on Sunday, March 3. The brackets are scheduled to be released at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 8.

Duo named all-conference first team

After punching their ticket to the 2024 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, Reece Barnhardt and Luke Tweeton were announced to the 2023-24 NSIC First-Team All-Conference team. Both claimed titles at the NCAA Super Regional V as Barnhardt won at 133 pounds and Tweeton took gold at 285 pounds for the 12th ranked Marauders.

This is the second year in a row that Barnhardt has earned all-conference first-team honors. Tweeton was named to the first team for the first time in his career after claiming second-team honors last season.

Both men went undefeated in Northern Sun duals, posting a record of 8-0. Tweeton finished the season on an impressive 10-match winning streak, while Barnhardt recorded an outstanding 13-match winning streak.

Tweeton received another honor on Thursday, March 7, when he was named the Marauders Athlete of the Week for February 26-March 3.

NCAA DII Super Regional V Results for UMary

133

Reece Barnhardt (22-4) placed 1st and scored 20.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Reece Barnhardt (UMary) 22-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Quarterfinal – Reece Barnhardt (UMary) 22-4 won by major decision over James Davis (Upper Iowa) 13-6 (MD 8-0)

Semifinal – Reece Barnhardt (UMary) 22-4 won by fall over Wayne Joint (Minot State (N.D.)) 23-6 (Fall 6:31)

1st Place Match – Reece Barnhardt (UMary) 22-4 won by medical forfeit over Beau Klingensmith (Sioux Falls) 17-6 (M. For.)

285

Luke Tweeton (26-7) placed 1st and scored 16.0 team points.

Champ. Round 1 – Luke Tweeton (UMary) 26-7 received a bye () (Bye)

Quarterfinal – Luke Tweeton (UMary) 26-7 won by decision over Nathan Schauer (Northern State) 15-15 (Dec 5-2)

Semifinal – Luke Tweeton (UMary) 26-7 won in tie breaker – 1 over Tanner Gaffey (Minnesota State) 24-11 (TB-1 3-2)

1st Place Match – Luke Tweeton (UMary) 26-7 won by major decision over Lloyd Reynolds (Wisconsin-Parkside) 15-9 (MD 11-1)