Loyal to the End

The Forum, Fargo, North Dakota

Matt Hermann

By Jeff Kolpack
jkolpack@forumcomm.com
Sports - 02/16/2007

North Dakota State’s last connection to Division II wrestling will make his last home appearance tonight. It’s been an interesting four years for senior Matt Hermann.

In a sense, he’s a sole survivor.

“I could have transferred with all the other guys,” Hermann said.

The Bison had several wrestlers transfer after the 2004 season because of the school‘s reclassification to NCAA Division I. It rendered NDSU ineligible for postseason competition -- something that was originally going to lock wrestling out of national tournament eligibility until 2009 but was later changed.

Hermann gambled that an appeal to reduce the waiting period would happen. He was right. The two-time team captain will get a chance to qualify for the Division I Championships at the West Regional on March 3.

“I wanted to challenge myself to make it to Division I nationals,” he said.

A big obstacle will be across from him at 174 pounds tonight when the Bison host Northern Iowa in a Western Wrestling Conference match. It was moved to 8 p.m. to accommodate the Bison Classic indoor track meet and give spectators at the North Dakota state high school wrestling tournament a chance to watch.

Hermann, 11-10, will face Alex Dolly, who will be a major threat to win the West Regional. Kenny Robertson of Eastern Illinois is considered the favorite at 174. Robertson defeated Dolly 6-0 two weeks ago.

“This UNI guy is probably the next toughest,” said NDSU assistant coach Bret Maughan. “This will be a good test.”

Hermann burst on the NDSU scene as a freshman in 2004 when he took a surprising second in the Division II national tournament. His career has been up and down since.

He went 8-7 last year after recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in the season-opening tournament. He was 21-8 as a sophomore, including wins in seven of his last eight matches.

“It’s been steady, but I wish I could have improved more,” Hermann said.

NDSU head coach Bucky Maughan said he would like to see Hermann be more aggressive.

“He knows the technique but he has to force it,” Maughan said. “He’s waiting for things to happen and that’s probably got him in a little bit of a slump.”

Regardless, Hermann’s career will be measured by his 74-44 career record and his loyalty to the program. “He stuck with us when everybody else was bailing out,” Maughan said. “At that time, he was faced with not going to another national tournament. He’s been a good leader for us.” Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546. Kolpack’s NDSU media blog can be found at www.areavoices.com