March 13, 2004
Meyer Becomes Truman's First National Champion Wrestler in 26 years
Junior Merrick Meyer (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell North) became the second ever Truman national champion wrestler, and the school's first in 36 years, when he took the NCAA Division II title at 141 pounds today. Meyer won four straight matches en route to his first NCAA crown.
Meyer took his first bout by a 6-0 decision and pinned Eli Dominguez of Nebraska-Omaha in 2:51 in his second match. In the semi-finals, Meyer beat Jason Rhoten of Minnesota State Mankato by a major decision, 15-1. He won the 141 championship match by a 6-3 decision over Shane Barns of Adams State.
Meyer completed the year with a 30-6 record, his third-straight 30-win season. The now three-time all-American has a career record of 96-20. Meyer was the national runner up at 141 pounds a year ago.
Junior Gregg Nurrenbern (Fulton, Mo.) earned all-American status in his first NCAA appearance with a seventh-place showing at 184 pounds. He won his first match over Derek Brunson of UNC-Pembroke 10-4, but lost his next match to Matt Hermann of North Dakota State, 6-5. In the consolation bracket, Nurrenbern beat Kris Klepacz of Findlay (Ohio) 9-2, but lost a 6-2 decision to Randy Pyle of Pittsburg-Johnstown). Nurrenbern beat Bryan Tapley of Central Oklahoma 9-2 in the seventh-place match.
He finishes the season with a 34-12 record, his second 30-win season, and has posted a career mark of 79-42.