Will Bison shoot bullets or blanks today?

The Forum, Fargo, North Dakota

03/03/1996

Will Bison shoot bullets or blanks today?
By Jeff Kolpack

The team that has dominated the North Central Conference Wrestling Championships finds itself in a vicarious position this year. The possibilities for North Dakota State today at the Bison Sports Arena are seemingly somewhere between one and infinity.

The Bison own 12 NCC titles since 1982. They came in a predictable way: start the season OK and then finish with a bang. So what is the Bison gun loaded with this year? Bullets or blanks.

Nobody knows. Not even its coach.

"I've misread this team all year," said Bucky Maughan.

The Bison are switching their lineup again for the tourney. Ryan Wolters, the defending national champ at 190, will be back at that weight after a few experiments at heavyweight.

"My season has been kind of shaky," Wolters said, "but I have to concentrate on this tournament. This is where it starts to matter." Robert Finneseth, an All-American who split time at 190 and heavyweight last season, will drop to 177. Mike McCormick, an All-American at 177, will drop to 167.

"I had a long visit with these guys," Maughan said. "It's the best thing we can do as a team. It will take a big commitment out of all of them." The gamble comes in the form of making weight. As of the middle of the week, McCormick and Finneseth were around eight pounds too heavy.

That won't be much of a problem for 126-pounder Jeff Kapusta and 134-pounder George Thompson. They have been two of NDSU's most consistent performers.

Other than that, it's a hit-and-miss day for the Bison.

"If we're going to redeem ourselves, have some personal pride, then we have to get after it," Maughan said. "We could win it or we could place fifth." It is expected to be a close race. Nebraska-Omaha, South Dakota State and Northern Colorado all have enough power to claim the title. Moreover, Mankato State, St. Cloud State, Augustana and North Dakota have enough blue-chippers to throw everything out of whack.

South Dakota State's strength lies in its upper weights -- the Jacks are threats to win at 177, 190 and heavyweight with Jeremy Pascoe, Chad Lamer and Ryan Reso. Then again, Omaha's threesome of Corry Royal, Pat Kelley III and Wade Kroeze could pull off a trifecta.

"South Dakota State is the favorite, it's all in their hands," said Northern Colorado coach Jack Maughan.

Replied SDSU coach Jason Liles: "They do, huh? Obviously, I don't consider us the favorite. There are so many factors involved. All three (upper weights) are capable of winning it. We need them to have a good day." Opening-round matches start at 10 a.m. Semifinals are at noon and the finals and third-place matches begin at 7. Although the latter are the marquee matches, consolation points are a premium in a closely-fought tournament.

"This year, a low seed or somebody not even seeded could end up in the finals," Bucky Maughan said. "It's that close."