Wrestlers pick up milestone win; send more to national tournament

The Northwestern wrestling team has been rolling of late, defeating Hastings 36-9 on Friday, Jan. 20.
Individuals winning were junior Diego Quintana (decision), freshman Ricky Ortiz (pin), senior Josiah Simburger (major decision), freshman Zach Fishman (pin), freshman Tyler Schaefer (pin), senior David Carter (major decision), freshman Tim Stephens (decision) and senior Nic Leither (major decision).
On Jan. 11, the Raiders beat Concordia 27-19, with Quintana (pin), senior Matt Dowell (decision), Fishman (decision), Schaefer (pin), Carter (decision) and Leither (pin) all winning individually.
“The Concordia dual was a big win for us,” said Fishman. “I think that it has given us confidence for these upcoming weeks, as we have two big duals against Morningside and Hastings coming up.”
Meanwhile, in a recent match against Buena Vista, both Fishman and Simburger qualified for the NAIA National Tournament, which begins in March. Simburger took first in his division, needing to be in the top six to qualify. Fishman took third, needing to be in the top eight.
“It was a good tournament overall,” Fishman said. “Simburger probably had one of the most exciting finals matches that I have seen in quite a while, coming back from a 9-2 deficit to win 16-15.”
Fishman said he was excited for the tournament while expressing high hopes for the NW wrestling team.
“I feel great right now going into nationals and I believe that we as a team can get at least four guys to place the way we have all been wrestling lately,” Fishman said. “The whole team this year is capable of placing if we really set our minds to it. We have nine guys qualified so far.”
Those nine wrestlers are Quintana, Ortiz, Dowell, Simburger, Fishman, Carter, Leither, freshman Brett Gudeman and sophomore Ariel Bosque.