Chased down a national title: Upper Iowa’s Chase Luensman completes mission to become NCAA Division II Wrestling champ

CEDAR RAPIDS – Chase Luensman displayed a message in his wrestling locker.

The declaration served as a daily reminder of his ultimate goal. One he read before and after each workout. The Upper Iowa senior transformed that vision into a reality.

“In August, I wrote down ‘165-pound 2023 Division II National Champion’ and tonight we made that happen,” Luensman said. “Words can’t express how I feel right now.”

Luensman completed the mission, defeating Western Colorado’s Hunter Mullin in the 165 final Saturday night at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships at Alliant Energy PowerHouse. He claimed the 17th national title for the Peacocks and the first since Josh Walker won the 133-pound crown in 2018, also in Cedar Rapids.

“It’s weddings and funerals and that happens at every single tournament,” Luensman said. “There are guys that are like I should win this tournament, no problem and there are guys that are like I never thought I’d be here today. I just wanted to make it happen for myself.”

Teammates mobbed him after he jumped onto their shoulders after he came off the arena floor after his 9-7 finals decision over eighth-seeded Mullin.

“I didn’t tell them anything,” Luensman said. “I wasn’t expecting them to be there. I was just going to walk back with a smile on my face and seeing those guys just lit me up. I love those boys to death. They mean the world to me. There’s not a single thing on God’s earth I wouldn’t do for them. I know they would do the same for me.”

Upper Iowa Coach Heath Grimm has known Luensman’s family almost 30 years, coaching his dad, Dom, while an assistant at University of Dubuque in the mid-1990s. The title was a proper reward for all of his effort and doing things the “right way” on and off the mat.

“I feel so happy for him,” Grimm said. “I’m grateful for him to get what he deserved.”

Luensman has garnered the nickname “The Machine” for his approach to training and his conditioning. It also helped play a huge part in his tournament wins. He gave up the opening takedown to Mullin. Like he did in the quarterfinals, he was unfazed and responded by taking control. He followed with three of his own takedowns, building an 8-4 lead with 1:09 left.

“I got a super high motor,” Luensman said. “I wrestle seven minutes as hard as possible each and every time I step out there.

“Another good note is that we like to emphasize I’m a machine and machines don’t have feelings. So, when I get taken down there. I give up that first takedown I’m right back up and right back on his legs because that takedown did not dictate the match. It didn’t affect me and you can see I didn’t let it and we made it happen.”

Luensman qualified as a freshman and earned National Wrestling Coaches Association All-American honors when the NCAA tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. He qualified two years ago but didn’t place and didn’t qualify a year ago.

Even more impressive, Luensman was a four-time state qualifier for Monticello, placing third as a senior, fourth as a junior and fifth his sophomore year. Never a state titlist but now an NCAA champion.

“This is by far the greatest moment I experienced in wrestling,” said Luensman, who plans to return for a Covid season next year.

Central Oklahoma won its eighth NCAA team title, giving them 16 total national team titles that go along with eight NAIA crowns. They boasted the only No. 1 seeds to claim individual titles. The Bronchos closed with back-to-back titles from Dalton Abney (197) and heavyweight Shawn Streck. Abney won his second straight title, beating University of Indianapolis’ Derek Blubaugh in a rematch of last year’s final.

Central Oklahoma’s Todd Steidley was the NWCA Coach of the Year. The Bronchos had nine All-Americans.

Adams State also crowned two champions and boasted a two-time champion. Brendon Garcia (125) and 149-pounder Josiah Rider won gold. Rider moved down from 157, grabbing a second consecutive title and Outstanding Wrestler honors.

Lander (S.C.) University is just in its fourth season of existence and competed in just its third NCAA tournament. The Bearcats were second in the team race and had six All-Americans, including 184 runner-up Logan Hall.