Sand turns in 1st place finish at Auggie Brute Adidas Open

MINNEAPOLIS - Sophomore 133-pounder Jeff Sand won the Copper 2 Division of the 2010 Auggie Brute Adidas Open on Saturday, turning in the top finish for the Storm at one of the nation's most competitive meets.

Hosted by defending Division III National Champion Augsburg, the Auggie Brute Adidas Open featured more than 500 wrestlers throughout the Midwest.

"This tournament provided a chance for our guys to witness some of the top wrestlers in the nation," head coach Clint Manny said. "Whenever you are exposed to that type of competition, it is positive."

Sand went 3-0 in his division, earning a 3-2 decision over William Penn's Tyler Schneider in the championship match.

In addition to Sand's first-place finish, Manny was happy with the way his freshmen wrestlers performed at the meet.

"Our young guys got a lot of quality mat experienced and picked up some good wins," Manny said. "We matched up well with our competition and gained valuable experience in winning some close matches."

One of those freshmen, Kody Havens, earned a second place finish for the Storm. Competing in the Bronze 1 Division at 165 pounds, Havens advanced to the championship before Blake Sorenson - wrestling unattached - won by fall in 46 seconds. Havens went 2-1 on the day.

Although places were not awarded in their divisions, Zach Edler and Jared Bevins wrestled well at their respective divisions. Edler went undefeated in the Copper 2 Division at 174 pounds, earning three major decisions. Bevins went 2-1 in the Copper Division at 197 pounds.

Other place-winners included Mitch Hackett (fourth at 157B2), Cory Stratton (sixth at 157S) and Spencer Lueders (sixth at 197B).

The Storm now turn their focus to the first home dual of the season, when nationally-ranked Luther and Williams visit Hopper Gymnasium at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. Williams is ranked No. 13 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Team Poll, while Luther is No. 18.