NIACC set to compete at districts

NIACC's Tony Mendoza (top) is ranked 2nd nationally at 149 pounds.
NIACC's Tony Mendoza (top) is ranked 2nd nationally at 149 pounds.
February 11, 2020

ESTHERVILLE - The fourth-ranked NIACC wrestling team will compete in the NJCAA Central District Tournament on Sunday.

The national-qualifying tournament starts at 10 a.m.

NIACC is one of five nationally-ranked teams competing at the district tournament. Iowa Western is ranked fifth, Iowa Central is sixth, Ellsworth is eighth and Iowa Lakes is 20th.

The NJCAA Division I national tournament is set for March 6-7 in Council Bluffs.

NIACC, which was 5-1 in ICCAC duals, enters the tournament with six ranked wrestlers, including top-ranked 165 pounder Christian Minto.

Other ranked wrestlers for the Trojans are Brock Luthens (3rd at 133), Hunter Luke (eighth at 141), Tony Mendoza (2nd at 149), Holton Truax (ninth at 197) and Zack Santee (fifth at 285).

Last season, NIACC placed third at the district meet with 115.5 points and qualified seven wrestlers for the national tournament. NIACC placed 13th at the 2019 national tournament with 44.5 points.

NIACC'S DISTRICT LINEUP

125 - Clarence Lee-Green (17-5); 133 - Brock Luthens (9-4); 141 - Hunter Luke (5-2); 149 - Tony Mendoza (13-3); 157 - Kendall Sandifer (9-5); 165 - Christian Minto (17-0); 174 - Cody Klettheimer (4-3); 184 - Mason Carpenter (2-3); 197 - Holton Truax (12-3); 285 - Zack Santee (3-0).

RANKED WRESTLERS AT NJCAA CENTRAL DISTRICT

125 - 4. Daniel Vargas (Iowa Central); 7. Camden Russell (Iowa Western).

133 - 3. Brock Luthens (NIACC); 5. Ladamien Sturdivant (Iowa Western); 9. Miles Knuckles (Iowa Lakes).

141 - 7. Robert Hall Jr. (Iowa Lakes); 8. Hunter Luke (NIACC).

149 - 1. Cardeionte Wilson (Ellsworth); 2. Tony Mendoza (NIACC); 9. Melvin Hernandez (Iowa Western); 10. Deville Dentis (Iowa Lakes).

157 - 7. Chance Fry (Iowa Western).

165 - 1. Christian Minto (NIACC); 2. Ashton Eyler (Iowa Central); 3. Isaiah Crosby (Iowa Western).

174 - 4. Anthony Johnson (Iowa Central); 6. Michael Waggoner (Iowa Western); 8. Justin Grant (Ellsworth).

184 - 3. Rozell Baker (Ellsworth); 10. Josh McFarland (Iowa Western).

197 - 1. Dillyn Miller (Iowa Western); 9. Holton Truax (NIACC).

285 - 1. Boone McDermott (Iowa Central); 5. Zack Santee (NIACC); 7. Darrell Mason (Ellsworth).