Off-Season Results: Disney Duals 2004

Mustang Wrestler Matt Jeffries was selected to represent Nebraska at 125 lbs. at the AAU National Scholastic Duals.  The event was held at the Disney's Wide World of Sports® Complex in Orlando, Florida.  Two Nebraska Teams competed, led by Coaches Dean Boyer of Plainview, Derek Hammerlun of Curtis/ Medicine Valley, Eric Manstead of  Wahoo and Bill Wofford of Aurora. 

• Team Roster and Results
• Pictures
• Disney Duals Website
• Event Info (PDF)
• Participating Teams
   

Dirk Verplank Commits to Dana College

Dirk signs on the dotted line (click image to see more).

On Monday, April 26, Dirk signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Dana College. Dirk, along with his parents and Coach Weylon White and Athletic Director June Morrissey, met with Coach Costanzo from Dana College at MNHS. Coach Costanzo is "glad to add Dirk to a potentially great recruiting class." Perry Rucker of Louisville has also signed a letter of intent. Dana College finished out this past year at number 6 in the country and has a number of All-Americans returning including former MNHS wrestler Jason Lozier who finished runner-up in the national tournament this past season. Dirk said he is impressed with what Dana wrestling has accomplished under Coach Costanzo and is looking forward to being a part of Viking Wrestling.  See one more photo of the signing HERE.
 

Off-Season Results: USA State Freestyle Championships

The Mustang Wrestling Club traveled to Kearney on May 1-2 for the USA State Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships.  See the pictures HERE.  The Mustangs wrestled well, placing the following wrestlers as the best in the state:

NHSCA Senior Nationals

Senior wrestler Dirk Verplank competed in the National High School Seniors Wrestling Championship in Cleveland, OH, April 2-4, 2004.  This national tournament, sponsored by the National High School Coaches Association, is open only to senior wrestlers who are state champions or runners-up.  Dirk competed well, pinning Louisiana State Champ Stephen Foley in the consolation rounds.  Congratulations to Dirk on a great showing and wonderful season!

• Complete Results

• Senior Nationals Website
   

2004 Wrestling Banquet

The Booster Club recapped the season and the coaches and wrestlers recognized each other with gifts and awards at the 2004 Mustang Wrestling Banquet.  The event, held at the Georgetown Club, was highlighted by Scholarship awards to Seniors Adam Schaal, Andrew Labens, Geoff Wrenn, Tony Cimino and Dirk Verplank.  The annual awards that recognize outstanding wrestling achievement were also awarded at the banquet.  The Braumon Creighton Award (High Point Wrestler) and the Rick Allgood Award (Most Valuable Wrestler) went to Dirk Verplank.  The Shaun Busch Ironman Award was earned by Stephen Wanning. The Freshman of the Year Award was shared by Erik Vance and Josh Heinke and RJ Nebe Award (Most Improved Wrestler) was shared by Alex Smearman and Matt Jeffries.  Coach Mel Masek was also recognized for his longstanding contributions to team and Bob Edmonds was recognized as the Patron of the Year. 

• See the Pictures

• See MORE Pictures
   

Off-Season Results

• A number of Mustang Club wrestlers competed in Bennington on April 17th for the USA Wrestling qualifier in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.  The wrestlers listed below have qualified to represent the Mustang Club at the Nebraska USA State Championships in Kearney on May 1st, 2004.
   

  Greco-Roman results: Darren Demulling -1st Josh Koessel - 1st Josh Heinke - 1st Mike Kruse - 3rd Matt Clark -3rd

  Freestyle results: Darren Demulling -1st Josh Heinke -1st Mike Kruse - 2nd Tim Snow - 3rd Aaron Wallin -2nd Josh Koessel -3rd Matt Clark -3rd Dan Engstrom -3rd Nate Elwood -4th Dan Engstrom -3rd

   

• Two Mustang Club wrestlers traveled to Kearney for the 4th Annual Midwest Classic at the University of Nebraska at Kearney on March 28th.  Senior Dirk Verplank claimed the Championship at 160 lbs in the 18U division and sophomore Matt Jeffries finished as the runner-up in the 135 lb. division in the 15U bracket. 

• Mustang Freestylers made their mark at the Westside 2004 Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, March 27th.  Placers include, Mike Kruse (90 lbs, 14U) - 3rd, Josh Heinke (110 lbs, 14U) - 3rd, Eric Vance (119 lbs,  16U) - 3rd, Tim Snow (135 lbs, 16U) - 4th, Devin Rimington (275 lbs, 18U) - 4th and Pete Isham (141 lbs open) - 3rd. 

Alumni News

Jason Lozier, a Millard North Mustang Alum (2001), has finished as the runner-up at 141 lbs at the 2004 NAIA National Championship.  The championship was held at Montana State University in Great Falls, Montana, on Feb. 27-28.   Jason, who currently wrestles for Dana College, accumulated 111 wins as a Mustang and was a four time place winner with a state title in 2001.  Congratulations Jason!

• See the results
• Jason's Profile at Dana
   

2004 State Tournament

Twelve Mustangs competed in the State Championship Tournament held at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on February 19-21, 2004.  The Mustangs placed 12th among the 32 Class A schools and improved their showing from last year, when they finished in 17th place.  Three Mustangs garnered medals, led by Senior Dirk Verplank who made the walk of Champions and ended his career with a second place finish.  

• State Results

• Results in bracket form
  (from NWImag.com)

• Pictures part 1

• Pictures part 2

District A-4 Tournament

District A-4 were held on February 14th at Papillion-LaVista South HS.  The Mustangs qualified 12 of 14 wrestlers for the State Championship Tournament as they finished second in the District.  Matt Jeffries (125lbs) and Dirk Verplank (152 lbs) claimed District Titles.  Also representing Millard North at the State Championship Tournament are (place in parentheses): 103 lbs: Steve Wanning (2nd); 119 lbs Josh Koessel (3rd); 130 lbs: Geoff Wren (3rd); 135 lbs: Andrew Labens (4th); 140 lbs: Tony Cimino (2nd); 145 lbs: Todd Muckey (3rd); 160 lbs: Matt Clark (3rd); 189 lbs: Joel Kelpe (2nd); 215 lbs: Jack Riley (4th); 275 lbs: Devin Rimington (4th).  The schools assigned to district A-4 were: Bellevue West, Lincoln East, Lincoln Southeast, Lincoln Southwest, Millard North, Westside, Papillion-LaVista South and South Sioux City.

• Results
• State Tournament Pairings (from NSAA)
• Pictures

 
Norfolk Invite

The injury-depleted Mustangs traveled to Norfolk to take on several dangerous teams including Lincoln Northeast, Columbus, Norfolk and Grand Island.  Despite being open at three weights, the Mustangs garnered a 5th place finish.  Highlights included first place finishes by Steve Wanning (112 lbs) and Dirk Verplank (152); third place finishes by Josh Koessel (119), Matt Jeffries (125), Joel Kelpe (189); a fourth place finish by Jack Riley (215); fifth place finishes from Tony Cimino (140), Cody McGee (171) and Devin Remington (275). 

• Award Stand Photos
• Full Results

 
Papillion-LaVista Dual

• See the Pictures of Varsity & JV action
• See Parent's Night festivities

             
John Higgins Invitational -Varsity

The Mustangs traveled to Lexington, NE on January 24th to participate in the 19th Annual John Higgins Invitational.  Some unfortunate injuries significantly limited the Mustang's chances as they finished in 10th place.  The tournament was highlighted by championships at 125 lbs by Matt Jeffries and at 152 lbs by Dirk Verplank (pictured).  Devin Rimington took third at 175 and Joel Kelpe took 6th at 189. 

• See the pictures
• Award stand photos (all brackets)
• Results

John Higgins Invitational -Junior Varsity

The Junior Varsity Mustangs also  participated in the 19th Annual John Higgins Invitational.  Freshmen Josh Heinke (103 lbs pictured above right, click to enlarge picture) and Erik Vance (119 lbs, above left) paced the JV squad with individual Championships. 

• See the pictures
• Results

Metro Tournament

Omaha NW Dual

Coach White showed off his team to a large  crowd at Kiewit Middle School as they faced his former team from Omaha Northwest.  The Mustangs pinned 8 Northwest wrestlers to overwhelm the Huskies 53-21.  

• See the Pictures
• Match Results

Millard West Tournament

The Mustangs faced the toughest competition of the year as they competed in the annual Millard West Tournament on January 10, 2004.  The Mustangs mustered a 6th place finish in a match-up of some of the states most respected wrestlers.  Steve Wanning (pictured) took the first place medal at 103 lbs to claim the Mustang's sole championship of the day. 

• See the pictures
• Results

S. Sioux City  Invite Stampeded by Mustangs

Lincoln Tri-Dual

The Mustangs experienced a setback in Lincoln on Dec. 13th as they dropped both ends of a Triangular Dual Meet with #1 rated Lincoln East and #6 Kearney. Devin Rimington (275 lbs) led the Mustangs with two pins.  Other Mustangs pinning their way to victories on Saturday include Steve Wanning, Matt Jeffries, Trevor Lieberth, Dirk Verplank and Joel Kelpe.  Click picture to enlarge. 

• See the Results HERE
• See the Pictures HERE

 
MYWCA Annual Tournament

The 19th Annual Metro Youth Wrestling Coaches Tournament was held on December 7th, 2003 at Millard North High School. Thanks to all the parents, wrestlers and alumni parents who made it a success!

• See the PIX
• See the Results

 
Ekfelt Invitational

Steve Wanning led the Mustangs with a first place showing at 103 lbs as the Mustangs took fifth place at the  58th Annual Vern Ekfelt  Tournament on December 4th and 5th. Millard North Placers: Steve Wanning 1st at 103; Matt Jeffries 4th at 125; Dirk Verplank 2nd at 152; Cody McGee 4th at 171; Joel Kelp 3rd at 189; Devin Remington 6th at 275. 

• See the full Results HERE
• See the Pictures HERE