NDSU

Holds down the starting spot at the "will" linebacker position after a successful sophomore campaign...Top returning tackler from last year's club...Has a knack for getting into the backfield...Very strong performer who runs well...2003 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Charted the second most tackles on the team (69) and tied for the team high in sacks (6)...Made 12 tackles at St. Cloud State and 10 against California-Davis...His 9 1/2 tackles for loss resulted in -68 yards for the Bison defense...Two of his sacks came against Tusculum in the opener for 21 of those yards...Broke up five passes and picked up two fumbles...2002 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Moved into the starting role at inside linebacker after the season-opener and started the final nine games of the campaign...Finished second on the Bison tackles chart with 67 and third on the defensive point chart with 361 points...Named North Central Conference Defensive Player of the Week in NDSU's win over Minnesota State-Mankato after charting eight tackles and recovering two fumbles on back-to-back offensive plays...Made a career-high 16 tackles, including eight unassisted, in the season finale against St. Cloud State and had nine tackles in the road loss at South Dakota State...2001 SEASON (HARDSHIP): Member of the 2001 Bison grid team but did not play due to an injury...2000 SEASON (REDSHIRT): Sat out the season as a redshirt in the Bison grid program...HONORS: North Central Conference Defensive Player of the Week in 2002 for his efforts against MSU-Mankato...Honorable mention Academic All-NCC in 2003...HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped at Velva High School where he was a first team all-state player for three consecutive seasons and a first team all-conference performer for three years...All-state as a sophomore as an offensive lineman, earning those honors as a linebacker his junior season, and as a runningback his senior year...Played in the Montana/North Dakota Badlands Bowl and the ND Shrine game...Team captain his senior season and team MVP his final two years...Also competed in wrestling, track and baseball...State champion in wrestling and a high school All-American...Four-time state placewinner in track and a three-time all-conference baseball player...State champion in debate as well...PERSONAL: Majoring in microbiology with a minor in biochemistry...Enjoys sports and music in his free time...Family includes one older brother, four younger brothers and one younger sister...Son of Greg and Cindy Wiest of Velva...Cousin Wade Kittelson was a two-year starting linebacker on the Bison from 1998 through 2001 and brother Cody is a junior strong safety on the current Bison team.

Defensive Point Chart
Season G UT AT TT FF FR P,BU-D INT KB Pts. Sacks Penetr’s
2002 10 28 39 67 0 2 1 0 0 361 1 2
2003 11 36 33 69 0 2 5 1 0 425 6 3.5
Career 21 64 72 136 0 4 6 1 0 786 7 5.5