May 20, 2008

The Upper Iowa wrestling program hosted their annual Legends Dinner and handed out their post-season awards. Tony Gehling was the team's leader in the classroom with a 3.704 GPA; he has now earned the highest GPA on the team for the last three years. There was a three-way tie for most falls on the team between Dan Goodson, Tyler Mumbulo, and Matt Norton who all finished with nine. Mumbulo earned the most wins over the course of the season with 31, narrowly edging out teammate Travis Eggers, who finished with 30.

The Most Improved Wrestler award went to Matt Norton. Mumbulo earned his third award of the night when he was named as the team's Most Inspirational Wrestler. Tee Adams was named the team's Most Dedicated Wrestler. JR Baker earned the recognition as the team's Outstanding Freshman. The final award of the night, Outstanding Wrestler, went to the Peacocks' highest finisher at this year's NCAA Championships, Travis Eggers, who finished 4th in the country at 157 pounds.

The Peacocks earned their second Northern Sun Conference Championship with a 41-4 victory at Southwest Minnesota State to cap off their second straight perfect season in NSIC duals. The back-to-back conference titles are the wrestling program's first since 1972-73, when the team won the Iowa Conference.

The team held an 8-5 overall record in duals this season including a 4-0 record in NSIC action. The Peacocks NSIC win streak is now at 9 straight duals. UIU competed in six tournaments this season and wrestlers placed 41 times in 88 attempts including eight individual tournament championships. The eight championships were won by Brady Hakeman (174) twice, Trevor Franklin twice (133, unattached), Tyler Mumbulo, Mitch Norton, Steven Baker (141), and Kyle Pedretti (125, unattached). Mumbulo became the first Peacock grappler to place (8th) at the Midlands Tournament since 1973.

Upper Iowa also gained recognition from the Northern Sun Conference throughout the season; Travis Eggers (11/15 and 2/25), Mitch Norton (11/20), and Tyler Mumbulo (12/3 and 2/4) were named NSIC Wrestler of the Week.

The team finished in third place at the NCAA Division II North Regional with 72.5 points. MSU-Mankato won the regional with 104.5 points, while runner-up Nebraska-Omaha scored 92.5 points. The Peacocks earned four runner-ups, two third-place finishes, and two fifths.

Upper Iowa sent six wrestlers to the National Championships in Cedar Rapids, March 14 and 15. Matt Norton earned an invitation to the National Championships for the first time, while the other five wrestlers earned a return trip. The group of returners included Mumbulo, Tee Adams, Travis Eggers, Mitch Norton, and Dan Goodson. Upper Iowa placed 14th at the National Championships finishing with 2 of their 6 qualifiers earning All-American honors. Eggers placed fourth at 157, while Mumbulo finished sixth at 125 to earn the two All-American spots. Other Peacock qualifier's records at the Championships included: Adams 0-2, Mitch Norton 1-2, Matt Norton 1-2, and Goodson 1-2.

Three Peacocks earned individual honors in the NCAA Division II All-Academic Rankings presented by the NWCA. The rankings named Goodson, 1st Team, Tony Gehling, 2nd Team, and Pedersen, Honorable Mention.

The Northern Sun Conference declared their post-season awards and Upper Iowa dominated the awards for the second straight year. Seven Peacocks were named All-Conference including Mumbulo, Pedersen, Adams, Eggers, Mitch Norton, Matt Norton, and Goodson. Eggers was also named the NSIC Wrestler of the Year and head coach Heath Grimm was named NSIC Coach of the Year for the second straight time.