NCAA Division III Notes: Former Indee champ Fank earns All-America status

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Wartburg heavyweight Ryan Fank experienced the sweet and sour of a national tournament.

The Knights sophomore completed his first full season as a starter with a fourth-place All-American finish Saturday at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships at the La Crosse Center.

He wrestled a step better than his fifth seed, but was suffering the bitterness of losing by fall to Mount Union's top-seeded Derick Hesson for third.

“That was the goal to come here and be an All-American,” Fank said. “I just didn't want to lose my last match, especially that way.”

Fank identified how to use that to his advantage, inspiring him to keep striving for his ultimate goal.

“Just work on it,” Fank said. “Let it motivate me. Come back and walk away with a title. That's my plan and been the plan since day one.”

Fank finished the tournament 4-2 and completed the season with a 30-10 overall mark. He had some big shoes to fill, replacing former Wartburg NCAA champion John Helgerson, who serves as an assistant coach. He wrestled everyday with Helgerson last year and trained this year with Helgerson and two-time 197-pound NCAA champion Byron Tate, who advanced to his third straight title match Saturday.

“The best workout partners in the nation,” Fank said. “You can't any better than that.”

Independence wrestling coach Michael Doyle coached Fank to a Class 2A state title in 2010. Doyle, a three-time All-American for Wartburg from 1993-95, attended the tournament with Mustangs assistant Keith Donnelly, watching his former team capture its ninth national team title and his first former pupil reach an NCAA podium.

His old coach offered him congratulations and then his dad informed him of becoming Doyle's first college All-American.

“It's kind of sweet,” Fank said. “It's nice to see those guys up here supporting me.”

King injured in finale

Coe's Scott King gave a thumb's up to the Kohawk fans in attendance. It was a simple gesture that delivered a grand message.

Minutes before King laid face down in the center of the mat without motion for moments during his fifth-place bout against Matt Cross of Messiah. King (29-10) went head first into the mat after a takedown attempt by Cross, rendering him unconscious.

King remained on the mat, but did lift his arm to shake hands when the default was official. He was then taken from the arena on a stretcher and underwent X-rays at a local hospital.

“It was precautionary,” Coe Coach John Oostendorp said. “He got knocked unconscious. He had some neck pain. They stabilized him and checked him out.”

King, a senior and former Tipton prep, placed sixth in his second NCAA tournament appearance for the Kohawks.

IIAC medals

The Iowa Conference produced 16 All-Americans this season, which is the lowest total since 1997. Wartburg led the way with eight medalists with Coe tying a school record with six All-Americans set in 2009. Luther and Loras had one apiece.

Good news exists. Almost half of the 16 placewinners reached the finals in six weight classes. The IIAC was assured of a national champion with Coe's top-seeded Nick LeClere facing Wartburg's No. 2 Landon Williams in the 165-pound championship, extending the conference streak that dates back to 1991.