March 1, 2004
Nurrenbern and Meyer Headed to NCAA Wrestling Championships
At the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championships in Edmond, Okla., this past weekend, the Bulldogs had two individuals qualify for the national championships as the team finished tied for seventh overall.
Junior Gregg Nurrenbern registered three straight decisions en route to the 184-pound title. Seeded second in that bracket, Nurrenbern took the championship bout by a 9-8 decision to advance to his first national championship.
Last year's national runner-up at 141 pounds, junior Merrick Meyer, again made the national cut by placing third in that weight class at the regional meet. Meyer was also seeded second and has been ranked No. 1 in the nation at that weight for several weeks. He lost his first match 1-0, but won his next match by pinning the fifth-seed in 2:18. Meyer won the third-place match by an 8-5 decision over the No. 4 seed.
Junior Allen Stokes finished fifth at 125 pounds as the No. 3 seed. He won his first match by a 6-4 decision, but lost the next two bouts 3-1 and 5-3. Stokes won the fifth-place match by a 4-3 decision over the No. 1 seed.
Freshman Gordon Harrison also placed fifth at 174 pounds, going 2-2 for the day. He pinned his first opponent in 6:42, but lost the semi-final match. Gordon also lost his next match 13-5, but won the fifth-place bout by a 3-2 decision.
Freshman Johnathan Horman was sixth at 197 pounds with a 1-3 record. He won his only match by a 6-5 decision in the consolation bracket.
Sophomore Steve Cox was 0-2 at 133 pounds; freshman Scott Skinner was 0-2 at 149 pounds; senior Kelley Latting was 0-2 at 157 pounds; and junior Tom Tajkowski was 0-2 at 165 pounds.
Truman finished the season with a 4-13 dual record.