Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Dana

When Dana College closed their doors after the 2009-2010 season, the world of NAIA wrestling lost one of their best teams.  The Vikings ruled the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in their final years of existence, winning titles in 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010.  On top of that Dana finished in the top ten six times & three of those times were in the top four at the NAIA championships. They won the NAIA team title in 2006. 

I attended a GPAC school & while there, attended all of the home wrestling matches.  I had the privilege of watching Dana compete on quite a few occasions.  It's surreal to me to know that the school itself doesn't exist anymore.  

Andy Healey
167 lbs 

Healey was a two time NAIA All American for the Vikings.  He took third in 1995 & was a runner-up in 1996. 

Jason Lozier
141, 149 lbs 

Lozier was a three time NAIA All American for the Vikings.  He placed sixth in 2003 & 2005, taking runner-up honors in 2006. 

Lester Bowling
165 lbs 

Bowling was a three time NAIA All American while at Dana.  He placed third in 2003, fourth in 2004 & was an runner-up in 2005.   

Post college he got into MMA 

Wynn Fanmeier
197 lbs 

Fanmeier was twice an All American for the Vikings.  After placing eighth in 2003, he placed third in 2004.  He later became an assistant coach at Midland. 

Burke Barnes
125, 133 lbs 

After taking third in 2006, Barnes made the NAIA finals in both 2007 & 2008.   Post his collegiate career he ran his own wrestling blog Revwrestling.com 

Terrance Almond

I was surprised I wasn't able to find a pic of Almond, considering that he's currently involved in MMA.  It's also a little disappointing as I used to talk to the guy at duals & tournaments from time to time.  I searched for one & couldn't find one. During his career he won three GPAC titles & was a four time All American for the Vikings.  Sixth in 2004, eighth in 2005, fourth in 2006 & fourth again in 2007. 

Jimmy Rollins
133 lbs 

Rollins started off his career at Gloucester County where he won an NJCAA title in 2002.  While wrestling for the Vikings he was third at the 2005 NAIA championships before winning an NAIA title in 2006.   

After a stint in the short lived Real Pro Wrestling (RPW), Rollins coached at Dana, Iowa Lakes Community College & Lindenwood. 

Benson Henderson
157 lbs 

MMA UFC Lighweight Champion Benson Henderson was a two time NAIA All American for the Vikings. He took back to back fifth place finishes in 2005 & 2006. 

Anthony Haukenberry

Haukenberry was an NAIA runner-up in 2006. 

Ryan "Bulla" Tuzon 

A native of Maui, Hawaii, Bull Tuzon was a three time NAIA All American for the Vikings.  Fifth in 2007, third in 2008 & fourth in 2010. 

Jason Bilinski

Another transfer of Gloucester County, Bilinski earned NAIA All American status on two occasions.  He was fifth in 2007 & fourth in 2008.  

He later coached at Millville High school. 

Willie Parks
184 lbs 

A native of Garden Grove, California, Parks was a NJCAA champion (as well as Outstanding wrestler) for Iowa Central in 2002.  Competing for the Vikings, he won an NAIA title in 2006. 

Wade Jordan
197, 184 lbs 

Jordan was a two time All American for the Vikings.  He placed sixth in 2007, taking runner-up honors in 2008. 

Mark Peiffer
184 lbs 

After winning a New Jersey high school state title for Overbrook Regional, Peiffer originally chose football over wrestling when he entered college. He played one year of football at Rowan, before deciding that he wanted to go back to wrestling.  Transferring to Gloucester County, he earned NJCAA All American honors twice before transferring to Dana for his final season of competition.  Wrestling for Dana, he was the runner-up in 2010.  His overall collegiate record was 110-11. 

Post graduation, Peiffer became a police officer.