Coutu finishes third at NCAA Div. II championships

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 9, 2013 – Former Griswold High wrestler Brock Coutu, a junior at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, earned All-American honors by finishing third at the NCAA Division II national championship tournament Saturday.

Coutu (23-10) beat No. 5 ranked Maurice Miller of Notre Dame-Ohio twice to finish third at 141 pounds. Coutu advanced to the semifinals with a 3-2 win over Dave Cawley of Pitt-Johnston and a 7-6 decision over Miller in the quarterfinals. Ryan Fillingham of Adams State beat Coutu, 6-4 to go to the championship match.

But Coutu remained strong with an 8-0 win over Michael Hamel of Grand Canyon and rallying for a big 8-6 win over Miller in the consolation final. Trailing 4-1 early, Coutu dominated the rest of the way with nearly three minutes of riding time to earn the victory.

No 3 Nebraska-Kearney had a one point lead over St. Cloud State going into Saturday night’s finals with four wrestlers in the finals.

Connecticut shutout at Div. III nationals
LA CROSSE, Wis. , March 16 — Wartburg College won its 10th NCAA DIvision III national championship in the final season for long-time coach Jim Miller. Wartburg had four individual champions and five finalists. No Connecticut wrestlers qualified for the tournament.