Nord tops JC list at nationals

Four Jamestown College wrestlers are in Des Moines, Iowa for the NAIA national meet.

The Jimmies’ best hope to earn All-American honors is sophomore Michael Nord, who is coming off a dominant three-pin performance at the North Region qualifier two weeks ago.

The Enderlin, N.D., native placed first at 165 pounds in Fremont, Neb., Feb. 16 and boasts a sparkling 30-4 record with just one loss to an NAIA opponent.

“It wasn’t like he was outclassed in that match,” JC head coach C.J. Campbell said recently of Nord’s only NAIA setback. “He’s a legitimate contender for a national title.”

As a top six seed Nord received a bye into the second round of the tournament, which begins today.

Senior Sean Blumhardt also got an opening-round bye.

Blumhardt is the lone returning All-American for the Jimmies. The 125-pounder from Ellendale earned a top eight finish in 2011.

Blumhardt takes a 13-6 record into the meet. He’s coming off a first-place finish at the North Region Qualifier.

Also competing for the Jimmies are Jaykob Miller and Antonio Lopez.

Miller earned an at-large bid into the 157-pound bracket. He takes a 16-21 record into today’s action.

Heavyweight Antonio Lopez was voted in as the first alternate and will compete today.

Lopez, a freshman, wrestled a limited schedule, but did place sixth at the qualifier.

In a setback, standout freshman Dillon Kifer will not compete due to an injury he suffered in the 141-pound title tilt at the qualifier. Kifer had surpassed the 20-win total in his first campaign.

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, jimmies, wrestling