Kerzman wins five matches at tourney

This article submitted by Michael Jacobson on 4/25/01.

Since ending his Bulldog wrestling career with a second state title and a host of school records, David Kerzman has taken his wrestling prowess across the nation. Kerzman has wrestled some of the best wrestlers in the country in a series of all-star matches and tournaments.

Most recently, Kerzman wrestled with the Minnesota team in the National High School Wrestling Championships. This was held at the University of Delaware from April 5-7.

Kerzman's bracket at 130 contained over 70 wrestlers and awarded medals to the top eight. Kerzman fell two victories short from placing. He won by pin in his first match and then lost 4-1 to drop into the wrestlebacks. He won four matches there: by technical fall, by major decision, by decision, and by pin. He was eliminated after losing 9-3 to a New York wrestler.

"Once I started winning, it was fun," said Kerzman of the experience. "I didn't think I'd do as well as I did."

The competition, featuring the best senior wrestlers from each state, was tough. After dominating his Minnesota opponents from his feet, Kerzman met his match in the all-star matches out of state. Lots of times, he ended up giving up more takedowns than he got, he reported.

"I pretty much relied on turning them (to their backs) to win my matches," he said of the tournament in Delaware.

To participate on the Minnesota team in the tournament, Kerzman needed to have wrestled in the state finals. The Minnesota team had 20 members, but was missing some of the biggest names in the state: four-time state champion Marcus LeVesseur, five-time state champion Matt Nagel, and four-time state champion Ty Eustice.

No one from Minnesota placed, as the team took 16th.

In March, Kerzman also wrestled in the Minnesota-Wisconsin All Star Series and split two matches. He lost his only match at the Dapper Dan Classic in Pittsburgh, Pa. In all, Kerzman finished the regular season with a record of 40-1. He won six of ten matches in the out of state competition.

National Tourney Results
David Kerzman: pinned Kenny Sessler, Oregon, 3:20; lost 4-1 to Josh Lamano, Utah; won 15-0 by technical fall over Steller, Maine; won 17-5 by major decision over Ebling, Iowa; won 6-4 over Decristofar, Florida; won by pin over Cote, Montana, 2:15; lost 9-3 to Iannello, New York.

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