March 8, 2003

ADA, OHIO . . . Wartburg College won its third NCAA National Wrestling Championship setting several Division III Championship records en route to the 82-point victory over three-time defending Champion Augsburg College, which finished second (166.5-84.5). The National Championships were dominated by the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC). In addition to Wartburg’s team title, five IIAC wrestlers won individual titles and 24 IIAC wrestlers earned All-American honors.

Wartburg, which was ranked #1 in the nation all year, led six IIAC schools in the top-15. Luther College (5th), Upper Iowa University (9th), Loras College (10th), Coe College (12th) and Simpson College (14th) all finished in the top-15. Buena Vista University (16th), Central College (T-28th) and the University of Dubuque (T-48th) round-out the IIAC schools in the final standings.

The Iowa Conference had finalists in nine of 10 weight classes and crowned five individual Champions – Wartburg’s Heath Ropp (125-pounds), Wartburg’s Will Kelly (141-pounds), Luther’s Jesse Reyerson (165-pounds), Upper Iowa’s Brent Meyers (197-pounds) and Wartburg’s LeRoy Gardner (heavyweight).

The 24 Iowa Conference All-Americans equals the Conference record set last year. Of the 24 this year, 14 are repeat All-Americans including three three-time All-Americans – Luther’s Garrett Kurth, Wartburg’s Sonny Alvarez and Gardner. Kurth is the second Iowa Conference wrestler to finish first or second in three straight Division III National Championships. After winning the 149-pound weight class in 2001, he finished second in 2002 and 2003. The complete list of 2003 Iowa Conference All-Americans, with their Championship finish and previous All-American honors are at the bottom of this release.

Wartburg, in winning its third title since 1996, tied the NCAA Division III Championship record sending six wrestlers to the finals, tying the mark set by Montclair State (N.J.) in 1976. The Knights also set a Division III Championship point record (166.5 points) and the record for margin of victory (82 points). By the conclusion of Saturday’s Semifinal round, they had already eclipsed the record 143 points scored by Montclair State in 1976.

Wartburg became the fifth school to win at least three National Wrestling Championships. Augsburg has seven titles, Brockport State and The College of New Jersey have five titles apiece, and Ithaca has three titles.

Complete coverage of the National Championships including team and individual results can be found on the Championship web site.

2003 Iowa Athletic Conference All-Americans

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