Lights send three grapplers into NAIA semifinals

There were some tough moments on the first day of the 2019 NAIA national wrestling champions for the Montana State University-Northern Lights. But, as Friday night came to a close, the Lights had plenty of highlights too.

Northern sits well back in the team title chase after day one in Des Moines, Iowa, with 32 points, and in 11th place, but, the Lights have three wrestlers still competing for national championships.

On Friday, 157-pounder Brandon Weber won three times, including a 15-2 major over Dickinson State's Taner Stone in the quarterfinals to reach his third straight NAIA semifinal, and earn All-American honors for the third time as well. On Saturday morning, Weber will face another big rival in Embry-Riddle's James Williams for a shot at the finals. If Weber wins, he'll likely end up with a rematch against Life's Nosomy Pozo in the final Saturday night.

Fellow senior Andrew Bartel clinched his second straight All-American Friday as well, as did younger brother Isaac. Andrew reached the 165-pound semis with two wins Friday, including a 3-2 decision over longtime rival and former Lights Drake Randall (EOU) in the quarterfinals. Bartel faces second seeded Brett Bradford (Lindsey Wilson) in the semifinals Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, Isaac Bartel kept his shot at becoming a four-time All-American alive Friday when he won twice to reach the semifinals. Bartel, who finished third at year ago at 197, majored Southern Oregon rival Tanner Fischer in the quarterfinals, and will face third-seeded David Bow of Baker in the semifinals.

The three semifinalists however, will be Northern's only All-Americans this year. On Friday, senior Matt Weber (141) to Lourde's Nick Henneman in the second round, then was eliminated by Oklahoma Wesleyen's Dayton Marval in the wrestlebacks. Sophomore Nick Kunz was also eliminated in the third round of the consolation bracket at 125. Kunz had upset sixth-seeded Mhar Caballa of Eastern Oregon in the wrestle back but came up one match shy of All-American honors.

Chase Short (174) and Jase Stokes (HWT) were also eliminated from the tournament Friday afternoon.

The three MSU-N semifinalists will wrestle at 9 a.m. Saturday. The finals are set for 6 p.m. Saturday night and will broadcast live on ESPN3.