CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Minot State senior Mitchell Eull posted a 2-1 record on the opening day of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships to become the first Beaver to earn NCAA All-America honors on Friday in the U.S. Cellular Center.

Eull earned All-American status at 285 pounds against a familiar foe as he faced Lawrence Phillips of St. Cloud State in the consolation round. After a scoreless first period, Eull used an escape to take a 1-0 lead into the final period. Eull then controlled Phillips in the third period and used another point via riding time to etch his name further into the Minot State record books with a 2-0 win.

Eull, who improved to 31-5 on the season, opened the tournament in dramatic fashion as he pinned Daniel Bland of Limestone in the second period. Trailing 2-1 entering the second, Eull dominated Bland and notched the fall at 4:51 to become the first Minot State wrestler to win a match at the NCAA Championships.

Eull faced Terrance Fanning of Wheeling Jesuit in the quarterfinals and dropped a 6-3 decision. Eull was trailing 4-3 late in the third period and gambled with a move trying to get a takedown and the win, but Fanning turned it into a takedown to secure the win.

Eull, who can finish as high as third in the tournament, will resume action on Saturday (March 10) against Jarrod Hinrichs of Nebraska-Kearney in the third round of the consolation bracket.

Action will begin on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the U.S. Cellular Center.

– Minot State athletics

Bean second

after Day One for MSU men’s golf

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Matthew Bean carded an even-par 72 and Minot State is in third place after day one of the fourth annual Minot Junior Golf Association Collegiate Invitational on Friday at the Aliante Golf Course.

Bean is second overall in the medalist race after posting his opening-round 72 on the par-72, 7,022-yard layout at the Aliante Golf Course. Brandy Madsen of Winona State leads the field after shooting a one-under par 71 on his opening round.

Led by Bean, Minot State is in third place in the team standings with a score of 308. Winona State leads the field with a score of 300, while Augustana is second with a team total of 307. The Beavers are third followed by Westminster (309) and Rocky Mountain (310).

Matthew Kreutz and Cody Reynolds are in the top 10 in the individual standings after the first round. Kreutz is tied for fifth after shooting a 74, while Reynolds is tied for ninth with a 76.

Leighton Bearchell and Carson Harcourt rounded out the Minot State scoring contingent. Bearchell is tied for 34th with an 86 and Harcourt is tied for 38th after shooting an 88.

Aaron Ogrodnick, Sean Semmens and Garrett Kristjanson all competed individually for the Beavers. Ogrodnick fired a 78, while Semmens shot an 83 and Kristjanson shot an opening-round 89.

The tournament will conclude on Saturday at the Aliante Golf Course.

– Minot State athletics

MSU women’s

golf fourth after opening round

NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Miriam Dumes shot an opening-round 82 and Minot State is in fourth place in the team standings after the first day of competition at the Minot Junior Golf Association Collegiate Invitational on Friday at the Aliante Golf Club.

Dumes, who is tied for sixth overall, shot a 82 over the par-72, 6,026-yard course at the Aliante Golf Club. Jessica Blanchard of Winona State currently leads the field after shooting a 76 over her opening 18 holes.

All four Minot State golfers who figured in the scoring shot 85 or better for the first round.

Alexandra Demko is tied for 12th place overall after opening with an 83, while Kira Dereniwsky is tied for 17th place after an opening-round 84 and Katherine McGlenen shot an 85 and is tied for 21st overall.

Kaitlyn Hill rounded out the Minot State scoring group with a 95, which has her tied for 46th overall.

Makensy Arlien and Lindsay Duben each competed individually for the Beavers. Arlien shot a 91 and is in 40th place, while Duben carded a 119 and is 65th overall.

– Minot State athletics

Beaver baseball drops series opener at UNK, 7-5

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Minot State baseball team opened their four-game series at Nebraska-Kearney on Friday afternoon, falling 7-5 at Memorial Field. The Beavers are now 2-5 on the season, while the Lopers improve to 7-10.

Reilly O’Rourke (0-1) took the loss, surrendering six runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five in 5.1 innings of work.

Minot State scored five runs on 10 hits while Nebraska-Kearney scored seven runs on seven hits and committed three errors.

The Beavers and Lopers face off tomorrow in a doubleheader starting at noon. Links to live stream and stats are available on msubeavers.com.

– Minot State athletics