Former Hayfield High School wrestler Nick Severson earned his second national crown at North Dakota State University when he successfully defended his wrestling title by going 4-0 -including three pins – during the NCAA Division II National Championships in Kenosha, Wisc.

Tuesday, March 26, 2002

Former Hayfield High School wrestler Nick Severson earned his second national crown at North Dakota State University when he successfully defended his wrestling title by going 4-0 -including three pins – during the NCAA Division II National Championships in Kenosha, Wisc., earlier this month.

The NDSU Bison matmen nabbed second place and took home two individual champions during the multiple day contest. Severson, who initially earned his spot on the team as a walk-on his first year at NDSU in 1999, was ranked number one in the national polling all season long.

Nick, who is a native of Hayfield, began his wrestling career at the age of five. His natural ability for the sport was evident at a very early age, when he earned his first national titles in Folk and Freestyle wrestling before the age of 14. He earned All-Hiawatha Valley League recognition as a wrestler throughout his high school career, and was state champion in 1996, his senior year, at 189 pounds. That same year the Viking team went all the way state finals, taking second in state dual championships.

Severson was a multiple All-Conference athlete and varsity letterwinner in three different sports: wrestling, football, and baseball.

"Nick did not wrestle like a typical heavyweight, he was always quick on his feet. He had a tendency to control his matches, even when he was behind," said his mother Carla Severson. "It was a very exciting and emotional moment for me to watch Nick wrestle his last match."

Nick was the North Central Conference Champion this year, and went undefeated against Division II competition. He wrestled unattached his first semester with an 11-2 record that included six pins. Severson posted a perfect 12-0 dual-meet record and was 19-1 overall. He had a combined record of 30-3 with 17 pins and three major decisions. Nick was awarded the Gorriaran Memorial Award for being the Bison wrestler with the most number of falls in the least amount of time.

Severson was a four-time conference placewinner while at North Dakota State University. He placed fourth in 1999, fifth in 2000, third in 2001, and first in 2002. Nick will graduate with his engineering degree in construction management.

E-mail Gene Cox at sports@austindailyherald.com.

Former Austin High School wrestler Brad Fisher completed his collegiate campaign at Augsburg as a three-time All-American by finishing fourth at the Division III National Tournament March 1-2 in Wilkes-Barre, Penn.

Fisher, a 1998 graduate of Austin High and son of Larry and Mary Fisher, won the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for a third time at 141 pounds and qualified for the NCAA Division III National Tournament fro the third time, finishing fourth nationally. He ended the season with a 41-3 record, including 12 major decisions, six technical falls and five pins.

Brad was 118-30 in his career for Augsburg College.

Augsburg eventually won the D-III team title for the third straight season, establishing itself as a premier program for small-college wrestling. The Auggies also won the MIAC championship for the 16th season in a row, with all 10 wrestlers earning individual conference titles.