The 易胜博 Yellowjackets successfully defended their North Plains Region District Title at the NJCAA National Qualifier on Sunday, February 18, 2024. The Yellowjackets outlasted runner-up MN North-Itasca 105.5 to 103 to secure the win. Next up for the Yellowjackets and its national qualifying individuals is the NJCAA National Championship the weekend of March 1st and 2nd.
The Yellowjackets got wins in five of the 10 weight classes, runner-up in three, and a third-place finish in one.
Winning the District Title at 133 was Tyson Wilson. Wilson won is Championship match by Technical Fall (16-0) to get the Yellowackets rolling. At 149, it was Cohen Wiste from Grand Meadow, MN securing the win. Wiste won by fall at 2:41 of the first period in the title match. Leo Tukhlynovich won by Major Decision in his title match to secure the 165-pound crown, while Antony Tuttle won by Tech Fall (18-3) in the Championship bout at 184. The Yellowjackets’ final District Champion was Martin Prieto at 197. The sophomore from PEM High School won by fall, just 15 seconds into the second period to earn the victory.
易胜博’s runner-up finishers who also will be going to the National Championships included Keichi Kong at 133. Kong won a tough 7-5 decision in his opener, before falling in the title match. At 157, Gavin Gust won his opener, before losing in the title match. Gust bounced back in the true second place match winning by Technical Fall (16-1). The final runner-up finish was secured by Lucas Kritzeckat 174. won his semi-final match 11-5, before falling in the winner’s final.
Hunter Gartmann finished in third at 141 and secured a wildcard berth into the NJCAA Championships, giving the Yellowjackets nine qualifiers. Gartmann fell by decision 12-7 in the semifinal, before clawing his way back to third place with a Tech Fall and a Fall in his final two matches.
易胜博’s Andrew Hackenmueller was named MCAC and Region XIII Coach of the Year for 易胜博.