COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa- Not since Landon Kieswtter in 2013 has Pratt wrestling taken home a national championship. On Saturday, that number was not only matched, but doubled. Michael Spangler at 125 pounds, and Jake Beeson at 149 pounds, each concluded their 2019-20 seasons as national champions, winning their respective semi-finals and finals matches.
Spangler, the tournament's five-seed, matched up with #25 Dennis Neal of Ellsworth in the tournament's final four. Spangler took control early and often, scoring a takedown just 30 seconds into the first period. That takedown led to a two-point nearfall seconds later, and with 1:35 remaining in the period, Pratt's 125-er converted dominant position into a four-point nearfall.
Leading 8-0 with 53 seconds in the opening round, Spangler again scored a four-point nearfall, and 12 seconds later, secured the pin.
A win away from glory, Spangler's final opponent was unseeded Matthew Jordan of Iowa Lakes. In usual fashion, the initial scoring came from Pratt's very own . Spangler was credited with a takedown at the 1:49 mark of the first period, though Jordan managed to escape seconds later. Both wrestlers ended the period with an identical sequence as Spangler carried a 4-2 lead into the second round.
Spangler was the lone offense in the second period, as he escaped bottom position and created a takedown with 52 seconds on the clock.
Beginning the final period in top position, Spangler scored eight of the period's 11 points, not allowing Jordan to find any semblance of hope. To boot, Spangler also managed to earn a point for riding time. The 16-5 majority decision win rewarded Pratt with a national championship, though the night was still early for the Beavers.
Beeson's semi-final opponent was North Idaho's Salvador Silva, and both men were game for the moment. Beeson was taken down at around the midway mark of the first period, though the Pratt side was awarded a point for a Silva technical violation. The Cardinal led the Beaver 2-1 after the first period. The second period was a grinding round, though Beeson managed to take a 3-2 lead with a takedown.
Beginning the third period in the bottom position, Beeson escaped after the first 11 seconds to create a 4-2 lead. Silva did manage to earn the riding time point, but Beeson wouldn't allow the Cardinal wrestler to muster any other offense. Beeson advanced with a 4-3 decision win.
Where Beeson saw the scoreboard teeter in the semi-finals, he put a stamp on his tournament run in the 149-pound national championship bout. Facing off against Clackamas' Martin Margolis III, Beeson began the first period with a takedown that eventually led to a a four-point nearfall. A late Margolis escape trimmed the deficit, though Beeson held a heavy 6-1 lead into the second period. The second round began with Beeson on top, and 53 seconds in, that position turned into a two-point nearfall.
Beeson put an exclamation on his championship season, wearing on Margolis III before converting top position into a four-point nearfall and a riding time point. Beeson went on the final match by a 13-1 majority decision.
Spangler and Beeson become the third national champions under head coach Ken Kepley.