During the late 80's up through the early 90's, North Dakota had six straight years of placing in the top seven at the NCAA Division II tournament including a high of third in 1990 & two fourth place finishes in 1987 & 1993. For all intents and purposes even though North Dakota was at one time referred to as the Fighting Sioux, all wrestlers in this blog will be referenced as Fighting Hawks.
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| Scott Knowlen 118 lbs |
A two time state champion with a 67-0 record his last two years of high school, Knowlen began his career at Bismark Junior College (Another program we no longer have). While competing for the Fighting Hawks, Knowlen captured NCAA Division II All American status on two occasions. He placed seventh in both 1983 & 1984.
Post college Knowlen took over the program at Bismark High School. He posted 368 dual wins against only 16 losses. 145 duals were won in a row. This included 15 traditional & 12 team state titles.
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| Jeff Schumacher 142 lbs |
A two time NCAA Division II All American, Schumacher placed seventh in 1983 & third in 1984. He later became an assistant coach to Knowllen at Bismark High School.
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| Jerome Larson HWT |
Larson had an outstanding career for the Fighting Hawks, going 98-26 claiming three All American honors at the NCAA Division II tournament. He placed fifth in 1980 & then third in both 1982 & 1983.
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| Jim Martinson 150 lbs |
A graduate of Bismark Central High School, Martinson finished in third & second place at the state championships in his final two years. He then went on to wrestle at Bismark Junior College where he won a regional title & placed fifth at the 1983 NJCAA tournament. Transferring to North Dakota, Martinson took runner-up finishes at both the 1985 North Central Conference (NCC) & NCAA Division II tournaments. In 1986 he won the NCC & placed sixth at the NCAA Division II's.
Post college Martinson became a dentist in Bismark & his daughter was successful in the rodeo becoming a national rodeo queen.
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| John Christen |
A two sport athlete for the Fighting Hawks, Christen excelled in both wrestling and tennis. On the mat he had a 98-33 career record earning NCAA Division II All American honors twice. He placed third in 1986 & fourth in 1987. On the court, he claimed back to back NCC titles in 1986 & 1987.
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| Andy Leier 134, 142 lbs |
A state champion for Bismark High School, Leier made the NCAA Division II finals in 1987 & then placed fifth in 1988.
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| Duane Barnhardt 134 lbs |
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| Jair Toedter HWT |
A three time NCAA Division II All American, Toedter placed fourth in both 1988 & 1990, taking seventh place in 1991. Post college he coached at Ridgewater High school in Minnesota.
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| Tim Briggs 158 lbs |
Briggs came to North Dakota all the way from El Cajon, California. Posting 97 career victories, Briggs had an out standing season in 1989 winning both a NCC title and a NCAA Division II title. He graduated with a 3.0 GPA.
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| Dale Herbst 190 lbs |
A graduate of Milaca high school in Minnesota, Herbst took fourth place NCAA Division II All American honors in 1989 before making the finals in 1990.
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| Kris Presler 142 lbs |
As impressive as he was on the mat, he was far more impressive in the classroom. During his time at North Dakota, he got an A in every course he took, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. His junior year of 1990, he made the NCAA Division II finals. Poised for another great run in 1991, he unfortunately blew out his knee during the round of twelve match. Intestinal fortitude saw him come away with the victory earning his second All American award, but he then had to forfeit to an eighth place finish. His career stood at 89-34.
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| Scott Braun 126 lbs |
A graduate of Bismark Central, Braun made the NCAA Division II finals in 1997.
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| Erin Razo 118, 126 lbs |
A California State champion for Trinity High School, Razo began his collegiate career at Lassen Community College. Transferring to North Dakota, he placed fourth at the 1997 NCAA Division II championships, following it up with a seventh place finish in 1998.
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| Jason Wagner 167 lbs |
A two time State champion for Carrington High School, Wagner began his career wrestling for the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. Transferring to North Dakota, Wagner placed sixth in 1995 & made the NCAA Division II finals in 1996.
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| Cole Lucier 190 lbs |
A two time state champion for Walhalla High School, Lucier made the NCAA Division II finals in 1992.
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| Jason Skapyak 167, 177 lbs |
A graduate of Apple Valley High School in Minnesota, Skapyak took fourth place All American honors at the 1992 NCAA Division II tournament and third place in 1993.
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| Kris Lengenfelder 158 lbs |
Wrestling for Bismark High School, Lengenfelder had one loss his junior season finishing as the state runner up. As a senior he would go 32-0 claiming the state title.
He began his collegiate career at Bismark junior college where he took back to back NJCAA runner-up finishes in 1990 and 1991.
Transferring to North Dakota he had back to back third place finishes at the NCAA Division II tournament in 1992 & 1993.
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