Trio of Gopher Alums Shine in NYC
Former Gophers Tony Nelson, Jayson Ness and Zach Sanders all delivered podium performances at the Bill Farrell Open on Saturday, with Nelson winning the 125 kilogram title
Gophersports.com
Nov. 11, 2016
Three Gopher greats – Tony Nelson, Jayson Ness and current volunteer assistant coach Zach Sanders – all delivered podium performances wrestling freestyle at the Bill Farrell Open in New York City on Saturday. While Ness and Sanders finished third at 61 and 57 kilograms, respectively, Nelson headlined the trio’s efforts by winning the 125-kilogram title.
Nelson reached the title bout without allowing a single point to either Jewoo Sin or Chadwick Hanke, winning those matches by a combined 15-0 total. His championship match against Dom Bradley was much closer than those previous contests, with the score tied at four late into the match. A takedown in the final 30 seconds gave Nelson the lead, 6-4, which would be the final score.
Ness looked strong during a 4-1 day. All four of his victories came by tech fall, including three 10-0 wins over Joel Webster, Nick Lee and Nahshon Garrett. He added a 12-2 tech over Cody Brewer in the third-place match. His lone defeat came in the semifinals against four-time NCAA champ Logan Stieber.
Sanders, who officially joined the Gopher coaching staff this season after several years as a grad assistant, went 3-1 in the event. He began his day with a 10-0 tech fall over long-time rival Frank Perrelli before dropping a 3-3 decision on criteria to Russian grappler Khasankhusein Badrudinov. A 7-0 decision over Nodirjon Safarov set up a rematch with Perrelli in the third-place match, one in which Sanders scored a 4-3 decision.
Sanders, Ness and Nelson were collegiate standouts at Minnesota. Sanders was a four-time All-American; Ness was a four-time All-American and a national champ; and Nelson was a four-time All-American, three-time national finalist and two-time national champion.
The Bill Farrell Open will continue tomorrow from the New York City Athletic Club, with Greco-Roman taking center stage. Several Gopher alums will be in that field as well. Be sure to follow Gopher Wrestling on Twitter (@GopherWrestling) for updates throughout the day and check back here on GopherSports.com for a recap of Saturday’s action.
Former Gophers Tony Nelson, Jayson Ness and Zach Sanders all delivered podium performances at the Bill Farrell Open on Saturday, with Nelson winning the 125 kilogram title
Gophersports.com
Nov. 11, 2016
Three Gopher greats – Tony Nelson, Jayson Ness and current volunteer assistant coach Zach Sanders – all delivered podium performances wrestling freestyle at the Bill Farrell Open in New York City on Saturday. While Ness and Sanders finished third at 61 and 57 kilograms, respectively, Nelson headlined the trio’s efforts by winning the 125-kilogram title.
Nelson reached the title bout without allowing a single point to either Jewoo Sin or Chadwick Hanke, winning those matches by a combined 15-0 total. His championship match against Dom Bradley was much closer than those previous contests, with the score tied at four late into the match. A takedown in the final 30 seconds gave Nelson the lead, 6-4, which would be the final score.
Ness looked strong during a 4-1 day. All four of his victories came by tech fall, including three 10-0 wins over Joel Webster, Nick Lee and Nahshon Garrett. He added a 12-2 tech over Cody Brewer in the third-place match. His lone defeat came in the semifinals against four-time NCAA champ Logan Stieber.
Sanders, who officially joined the Gopher coaching staff this season after several years as a grad assistant, went 3-1 in the event. He began his day with a 10-0 tech fall over long-time rival Frank Perrelli before dropping a 3-3 decision on criteria to Russian grappler Khasankhusein Badrudinov. A 7-0 decision over Nodirjon Safarov set up a rematch with Perrelli in the third-place match, one in which Sanders scored a 4-3 decision.
Sanders, Ness and Nelson were collegiate standouts at Minnesota. Sanders was a four-time All-American; Ness was a four-time All-American and a national champ; and Nelson was a four-time All-American, three-time national finalist and two-time national champion.
The Bill Farrell Open will continue tomorrow from the New York City Athletic Club, with Greco-Roman taking center stage. Several Gopher alums will be in that field as well. Be sure to follow Gopher Wrestling on Twitter (@GopherWrestling) for updates throughout the day and check back here on GopherSports.com for a recap of Saturday’s action.
