Team finds inspiration in one member's struggle after near-fatal accident

Dana wrestling will attempt to extend its dominance of the NAIA Region IV Saturday by hosting the last last tournament before Nationals in Great Falls, Mont., March 7 and 8. The tournament will begin at 10 a.m. in Dana’s Borup Coliseum.

Dana has taken Regionals the last two years, and with eight wrestlers already qualified for national competition they are expected to three-peat. Qualifiers are sophomore Brian Tsutsumi (18-16) at 133 pounds, sophomore Jason Lozier (30-11, ranked No. 6 nationally) at 141 pounds, freshman Ryan Knight (22-18) at 157 pounds, sophomore Leister Bowling (38-8, No. 4) at 165 pounds, senior Art Castillo (24-13, No. 8) at 174 pounds, freshman Josh Rothanzl (14-14) at 184 pounds, junior Wynn Fangmeier (22-11, No. 7) at 197 pounds, and sophomore Mark Lander (8-8, No. 7) at heavyweight.

The team has especially been inspired by team manager Brain Martin, a former wrestler who has overcome a nearly fatal car accident in his freshman year to return to school. Martin’s serious and lasting injuries have prevented him from competing, but he has shown for practice despite having trouble standing for periods of time.

Dana has the only NAIA wrestling squad in Nebraska and usually wrestles squads from NCAA schools. Under Head Coach Steve Costanzo, the Vikings have become the recognized powerhouse in Region IV, encompassing Nebraska, Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma. Dana is currently ranked tenth as a team in the NAIA.

Dana College is a private, liberal arts institution that currently enrolls approximately 600 students. The campus is located on 150 acres overlooking the Missouri River Valley in Blair, Neb. Dana grants bachelor’s degrees in more than 20 liberal arts, business, education and pre-professional programs, with an emphasis on personalized teaching from experienced and dedicated faculty. Dana is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and its athletic teams compete in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

More information on Dana College can be found on its web site, www.dana.edu.

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For more information or photos, contact:
Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
(402) 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu