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MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team finished the 2009-10 season with an overall record of 4-6 and 1-6 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference competition.  The Mustangs qualified four wrestlers for the NCAA Championships in Omaha, Neb.

National qualifiers:  SMSU had three wrestlers qualify for the NCAA Championships as Brandan Schunk (Wabasso, Minn.) earned a spot at 141 pounds, C.D. Johnson (LeRoy, Mich.) got in at 184 pounds and Brian Rodas (Farmersburg, Iowa) got a bid at 285 pounds.  All three went 1-2 in the tournament.  As a team, SMSU accumulated 2.5 team points and finished 30th.  The trio of national qualifiers is the most during head coach Jesse Nelson's tenure.

Letterwinners:  Carter Ash, Demond Carter, William Fate, Wade Granger, Alex Huls, A.J. Jenniges, C.D. Johnson, Micah Larson, Logan McAlpin, Trent Molacek, Robert Morris, Andrew Rodas, Brian, Brandan Schunk.

Academic All-NSIC:  SMSU had two Academic All-NSIC honorees in 2010 as Tanner Skillings and C.D. Johnson both met the 3.2 GPA requirement to earn the honor.

Team award winners:  Head coach Jesse Nelson handed out team awards at the program's annual banquet in April.  William Fate (Mecosta, Mich) received this year's rookie of the year award.  The freshman finished his inaugural campaign as a Mustang with a 14-9 record at 174 pounds.  Sophomore Brian Rodas (Farmersburg, Iowa) was the recipient of the most improved award.  He wrestled at 285 pounds and compiled a record of 12-8.  Rodas also qualified for the NCAA Championships after capturing a fourth-place finish at the Super Region Three tournament.  For the second time in three years, C.D. Johnson (LeRoy, Mich.) earned the Mustang Award, given to the SMSU wrestler who exemplifies selflessness and dedication to his team and academics.  The junior, who qualified for the NCAA Championships at 184 pounds, finished the season with a record of 18-17.  Brandan Schunk (Wabasso, Minn.) was named this year's outstanding wrestler.  The senior qualified for the NCAA Championships at 141 pounds and compiled a record of 16-10.  Schunk was one of two seniors on the squad this past season.

Carter drops out of national rankings:  Junior Demond Carter (East St. Louis, Ill.) fell out the final national rankings released on Feb. 17.  Carter had checked in at No. 6 and No. 8 in previous rankings.  He is the only Mustang wrestler to crack the national rankings this season.

In the books:  SMSU finished the 2009-10 regular season with a 4-6 overall record and 1-6 in NSIC action.  The Mustangs were seventh in the final conference standings, falling in ahead of Mary.  For the second consecutive season, SMSU notched an improved record, going from three wins last season to four in 2009-10.

According to the coaches:  The NSIC's head coaches tabbed SMSU seventh in the 2009 Preseason Coaches' Poll.  SMSU received 12 points in the poll.  Minnesota State received 54 points and took the top spot.
    Team            Points
    1.     Minnesota State    54
    2.     Augustana    48
    3.     Upper Iowa    45
            St. Cloud State    45
    5.     Minnesota State Moorhead    18
    6.     Northern State    16
    7.     Southwest Minnesota State    12
    8.     Mary    2

The coach:  Jesse Nelson finished his third year as head coach of the SMSU wrestling program.  Nelson owns a 7-24 record at SMSU and has charted improved campaigns in each of his seasons with the Mustangs.  He is assisted by Jake Avre.