COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – North Dakota State unattached 197-pounder Michael Nelson claimed the championship in his weight class and NDSU had four wrestlers in the top three overall in the Gold Division at the North Country Open held Saturday, Jan. 25, in Saint John's University Sexton Arena.
 
Nelson, a freshman from Dover, Minn., stormed through the 197-pound bracket with a major decision, a pin in 30-seconds and 6-1 decision over St. Cloud State's Riley Vanik in the championship match. He improved to 13-1 overall and has won three open tournaments.
 
North Dakota State received runner-up performances from 174-pouner Jimmy Noel (1-1 North Country Open, 6-4 overall) and unattached 184 Gary Wokojance (2-1, 6-6). Austin Braun (2-1, 6-6) placed third at 149 pounds, while Sam Stuhl (2-1, 6-5) won the consolation bracket at 149.
 
149 Austin Braun
Overall: 6-6 / North Country Open: 2-1
at North Country Open/Gold Division (1-25-20, 3^rd Place)
W dec Jacob Forar (Augsburg), 3-1
L dec Sebas Swiggum (Minnesota), 3-1
W major dec AJ Bethea (Augsburg), MD 17-8
 
149 Sam Stuhl
Overall: 6-5 / North Country Open: 2-1
at North Country Open (1-25-20, Consolation 1^st Place)
L dec Aaron Wilson (Augsburg), 11-8
W tech fall Lucas Hodges (Southwest State), TF 18-0
W dec Ian Laatsch (Augsburg), 7-6
 
174 Jimmy Noel
Overall: 6-4 / North Country Open: 1-1
at North Country Open/Gold Division (1-25-20, 2^nd Place)
W dec Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann (Augsburg), 8-7
L dec Solomon Nielsen (Augsburg), 7-2
 
184 Gary Wokojance
Overall: 6-6 / North Country Open: 2-1
at North Country Open/Gold Division (1-25-20, Unattached, 2^nd Place)
W dec Regan Bye (Augustana), 10-8
W dec William Pitzner (St. Cloud State), 8-6
L dec Tanner Vassar (Augsburg), 10-5
 
 
197 Michael Nelson
Overall: 13-1 / North Country Open: 3-0
at North Country Open/Gold Division (1-25-20, Unattached, 1^st Place)
W major dec Lorenzo Hernandez (Augsburg), MD 8-0
W fall Rowan Morgan (Minnesota), 0:30
W dec Riley Vanik (St. Cloud State), 6-1