The St. Cloud State University wrestling team captured the 2016 NCAA Division II national championship for the second consecutive season on Saturday, March 12 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The Huskies tallied 90 points to bring home the national team title and they were led by redshirt freshmanBrett Velasquez, who captured first place in the 125-pound bracket with a 5-0 win over Willy Bohince of Mercyhurtst.
Velasquez finished the tournament with a 4-0 record. Velasqez is the sixth SCSU wrestler to win an NCAA Division II individual national crown and he is the 16th Husky to win an individual national title (NCAA and NAIA combined).
For his work this season, SCSU's Steve Costanzo was named the 2016 NWCA Coach of the Year.
This is SCSU's second consecutive national team title and the second NCAA championship for any sport in the history of the University.
SCSU saw all seven of its athletes in competition at the tournament gain All-America honors. Clint Posterplaced third at 165-pounds to earn his fourth consecutive All-America award, while Austin Goergen placed third at 285-pound to gain his third consecutive All-America award.
At 149-pounds, Jay Hildreth placed fourth to earn his second All-America award, while Matt Nelson placed fifth at 141-pounds to bring back his second All-America award as a Husky.
MORE: Notre Dave College's Joey Davis joins wrestling elite, wins fourth NCAA title
First time All-America award winners for SCSU were Clayton Jennissen, who placed seventh at 174-pounds and Uthman Rabiu, who placed eighth at 184-pounds.
SCSU's finish at the NCAA Division II championships today marks another milestone in the program. The Huskies have finished among the NCAA's top 10 eight times since 2009.
SCSU won the NCAA title in 2015 and placed second in 2011, 2012 and 2013 under the direction of head coach Steve Costanzo.
The tournament finishes the 2015-16 season for SCSU. The Huskies charted a 16-1 dual match record this winter and also claimed their fifth consecutive NSIC championship with an 8-0 record. SCSU placed second at the 2016 NCAA Division II Super 3 Regional and saw four of its athletes gain championships at the Regional meet. In the final Division II national poll of the season, the Huskies gained a No. 2 ranking.
