Pazdernik looks to jump off recent roller-coaster ride and regain freshman form

The Forum, Fargo, North Dakota

02/13/1997

Searching for a career change, Pazdernik looks to jump off recent roller-coaster ride and regain freshman form
By Jeff Kolpack

The first half of Mark Pazdernik's wrestling career at North Dakota State has had flashes of excellence. What the Bison could use heading down the stretch is a steady dose of illumination.

The junior from New Salem, N.D., earned the status of NCAA Division II all-American as a freshman. He didn't make it out of the North Central Conference tournament as a sophomore. This year, with a 9-8 overall record and 3-5 in duals, he's shown a little of both.

"Hot and cold," said Bison coach Bucky Maughan. "He's beaten a lot of good people and he's lost to people he never should have lost to." Pazdernik will wrestle two "good people" this weekend. On Friday, in NDSU's last home dual of the season, he'll face St. Cloud State's Jeff Bullerman, who's ranked second in the NCC. On Saturday at the University of North Dakota, Pazdernik gets the top NCC man in UND's Chris Johnecheck.

Half of the Bison starters are in decent shape for a high conference tournament seed. Half are bordering on a .500 mark and in need of a good showing this weekend. Put Pazdernik in the latter category. His 158-pound weight class is considered one of the most balanced in the NCC.

In other words: It's there for the taking.

"He has to finish strong," Maughan said. "We have to have something out of him if we're going to do something in the conference." Pazdernik got a booster shot last week when he handled Mankato State's Beau Lucier. It was a matchup of former North Dakota high school standouts, although they never faced each other as preps. Lucier won a state title at Cavalier. Pazdernik was the state's 1993 Mr. Wrestler. A four-time state champion, he compiled a 197-9-0 record -- 40-0 his senior year.

He has a style conducive to action. The scouting report on Pazdernik is rather simple: Keep him in control and you have a chance; or get him in a scramble and you will probably lose. For instance, he beat Lucier 10-4.

"I'm kind of out of control, so to speak," Pazdernik said. "If I can get a takedown and a couple of minutes of riding time, then I'm in good shape." Pazdernik has felt in good shape the last two weeks. "Full of energy," he said. It's a contrast to last season when he faltered to fifth in the NCC tournament. The Bison as a team suffered a similar fate.

"We just kept on sliding, myself and the team," Pazdernik said. "Right now, we're putting it together." Pazdernik was part of three freshmen who put it together at nationals two years ago. Ryan Wolters was the champ at 190, George Thompson was a runner-up at 134 and Pazdernik finished eighth.

"It was a big thrill to be a part of it," Pazdernik said.

The Bison could use another thrill this year. Two big steps come this weekend.

But Wolters is weathering a cartilage problem to his knee, Jeff Kapusta (126) is fighting through a shoulder injury, Wayne Mooney (150) is competing despite a hyperextended elbow and Kyle Pieper (118) has been held back because of asthma.

"We want to get back on top of the NCC," Pazdernik said. "For me to win, it would help us -- and myself -- get back to the big tournament."