Bokoski earns All-American, extending Luther streak

LA CROSSE, Wis. - Luther senior Kevin Bokoski reached the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships for the second time, but his latest trip resulted in a spot in the awards ceremonies.

Bokoski placed eighth at 141 pounds and cap his career with All-American honors. Bokoski (19-8) posted a 3-3 mark in the tournament, dropping his final bout, 14-6, to fifth-seeded Ryan Bridge of Stevens Institute of Technology (N.J.).

“I've expected I could do that the last couple of years, but just never put it together at the end of the year,” Bokoski said. “I think I could hang with just about anyone in the bracket.”

He took the long way to the podium. Bokoski lost his opening bout to Springfield's Joseph Grippi, 6-2. He won three straight consolation matches to reach the final eight.

“I wrestled the best I've wrestled in college,” Bokoski said. “That was a good feeling.”

He was one of two Luther qualifiers, and his medal extended the Norse's streak to 14 straight years with an All-American.

“That's not necessarily our focus,” Luther Coach Dave Mitchell said. “Our focus is to be in the mix to be a trophy team every single year, and be in the mix to win it every now and then. We're not there now and that's our focus is to get back there.”