Minnesota State senior wrestler Brandon Girtz of Forest Lake made his third and final appearance at nationals at the NCAA Div. II National Championships at the Health & Sports Center in Kearney, Neb.

Last year Girtz was knocked out early losing two consecutive matches. This year he entered ranked No. 4 at 157-pounds.

“My goal is to win it (individually) and to win it as a team,” said Girtz beforehand.

Girtz was confident in his chances. A potential second-round match would have pitted him against University of Wisconsin-Parkside’s Brad Becker, who was ranked No. 2, and Girtz defeated him last season in a major decision.

Minnesota State entered the championships as the second ranked team in Division II and had all 10 of its wrestlers for this year’s meet. Nine of the team’s wrestlers were ranked in the top eight of their weight division.

Girtz accumulated a 107-46 record as a Maverick, including a 35-7 record as a senior in 2006-07. Eight of his victories this season were decided by pin fall and all seven losses by decision.

Minnesota State Wrestling head coach Jim Makovsky is impressed by how far Girtz has come since walking on as freshman.

“He has cleaned up his technique,” says Makovsky.

Girtz, a 2003 Forest Lake High School grad, has seen the improvement in his technique but says his aggressiveness is what makes him stand apart from the rest.

“I go out there and try to be physical. I’m not a technical wrestler.”

No objections from the coach.

“He is extremely explosive,” says Makovsky. “He always had the athletic ability, now he has the drive.”

The drive that Makovsky says Girtz has obtained through mental maturation.

“Brandon is a stubborn individual. Good wrestlers turn that into an asset and he has.”

Girtz had never wrestled until his sophomore year of high school. As a prep freshman he was a hockey defenseman for the Rangers. Girtz finished his high school wrestling career with a 35-4 record.

During the national championships held two weeks ago, Girtz began his day in the wrestlebacks against Andrew Lamanusca of Mercyhurst. The two combined for 10 points in the first period alone and ended regulation tied at eight points apiece. The match went into a double-overtime, Girtz’s second of the tournament, and Lamanusca was able to secure a takedown in the second one-minute session.

In the battle for seventh, Girtz secured a double-leg takedown in the first 15 seconds of the match and controlled the action throughout his 10-8 win over Kyle Trout of MSU Moorhead. Girtz concluded his final season as a Maverick with his first All-American honor and a record of 38-9.

Girtz will graduate from Minnesota State in May with a major in marketing. He is not sure where that will lead him but says he would like to stay involved in the Minnesota State wrestling program and one day coach youth wrestling.

His immediate plans after the season are too indulge in activities that he has sacrificed for wrestling: hanging out with friends, exploring the outdoors and letting his weight fluctuate from 157-pounds.

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