2013-2014 Luther Preview
Luther College
Head Coach: Dave Mitchell
Years at School as head coach: 18th
Career Record at school: 213-102-6
Assistant Coaches: Jeff O’Gara, Billy Huebner, Spencer Yohe, Trent Flegel, Travis Grawin
2012-2013 Dual Meet Record: 12-8
2012-2013 National Qualifiers and All-Americans: Evan Obert (8th, 133), Kyle Windquist (8th, 141) Garrett Bonte (165), Jayden DeVilbiss (184), Trent Flegel (8th, 197), Nick Pearch(285)
Returning Qualifiers and All-Americans: Evan Obert, JR-133; Garrett Bonte, SR-165; Jayden DeVilbiss, JR-184; Nick Pearch, SR-197; Conner Herman, SO-HWT (qualified in 2012)
Top returning starters:
125 Nick Scheffert, JR, Placed 4th at Central Regional
133 Evan Obert, JR, All-American & Scholar All-American
141 Dakota Gray, SO, Placed 4th at Central Regional
157 Blake Letney, SO, Placed 5th at Central Regional
165 Garrett Bonte, SR, 1 match from being an All-American
174 Dusty Jentz, SO, NHSCA Sr All-American; WI State Champion;
174 Jarid Groth, SR, Won 20 matches last year and won two college tournaments
184 Jayden DeVilbiss, JR, 1 match away from being an All-American; OW of Central Regional
197 Nick Pearch, SR, National Qualifier at HWT
HWT Conner Herman, SO, 1 match away from being All-American in 2012; Injured Last Year
Top incoming wrestlers:
Dakota Wangsness, Albert Lea, MN MN State Qualifier
Garrett Wangsness, Albert Lea, MN 2X MN State Placewinner
Dylan Willemsenn, Athens, WI WI STATE PLACEWINNER; Placed 3rd; 3X WI STATE QUALIFIER
Tristan Zurfluh, Sparta, WI WI STATE PLACEWINNER; Placed 4th
Kenya O’Neal, Hephzibah Comp, GA, Georgia State Runner-Up; 200+ HS Wins
Jesse Carlisle, Maple Mountain, UT UT STATE CHAMPION; Placed 3rd, 3rd, 1st, & 3rd; 2X Fargo All-American; 200+ HS Wins
Hans Haolkesvik, Decorah, IA IA STATE PLACEWINNER; Placed 7th; Deocrah Single Season Pin Record Holder
Javier Reyes, Buchanon, CA CA STATE QUALIFIER; Went 5-2 at State Tournament
Justin Kreiter, North Scott, IA 2X IA STATE PLACEWINNER; Placed 3rd & 8th
Clayton Jennings, Weston, WI WI STATE CHAMPION; 2X WI STATE PLACEWINNER
Christian Moore, Royall, WI WI STATE CHAMPION; 3X Placewinner; 4X State Qualifier
Season outlook:
With 5 returning qualifiers, Luther is set up for a good year. Evan Obert is the only returner of their three 8th place finishers from last season, but Jayden DeVilbiss and Garrett Bonte each made the round of 12 last season, while Connor Herman did so in 2012. Dakota Gray and Nick Scheffert each finished fourth in the Central Regional and are both back hungry to make the next step to the national tournament. With nine state placewinners in the incoming class, Luther is reloading to stay competitive in the IIAC and Central Region.