Kaleb Bigelow picked first team all-GPAC wrestling to lead DWU honorees
Feb. 21—SIOUX CITY, Iowa. — Dakota Wesleyan wrestling has four individuals recognized in the Great Plains Athletic Conference's season ending awards on Wednesday, led by conference champion Kaleb Bigelow picked to the all-GPAC first team.
Bigelow, a sophomore from Pinedale, Wyoming, won the 165-pound title at the GPAC championships Saturday in Seward, Nebraska, becoming the first DWU champion at the conference or regional level since Trever Devestern in 2016. Bigelow enters nationals with a 15-2 record
Other DWU wrestlers recognized included honorable mention selections Aric Williams (141), Tyson Johnson (157) and Trevion Sample (285). All three qualified for the NAIA tournament, as well, with Johnson a true-second finisher at the GPAC meet, and Williams and Sample each taking third place.
On Tuesday, Dakota Wesleyan learned it has picked up a fifth qualifier to the NAIA wrestling championships. Zach Zitek qualified at 141 pounds after taking fourth at 141 pounds at the GPAC tournament. Five qualifiers is the largest national tournament contingent for DWU since 2014, when DWU sent six wrestlers.
The other GPAC awards announced Wednesday included Doane's Bradley Antesberger as the conference wrestler of the year at 197 pounds. Doane coach Dana Vote was selected as GPAC coach of the year and Jamestown freshman 133-pounder Isaiah Miller was the conference's freshman of the year.
The NAIA wrestling championships will be held Feb. 29 to March 2 in Park City, Kansas.
