CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Battling hard to earn his spot in Saturday's final day at the NCAA National Tournament, Minot State sophomore Jake Swirple wrapped up his first trip to nationals finishing eighth in the country.

Friday, the Beavers' 285-pounder went 3-1 on the mats, battling back after an opening loss to win three in a row in the consolation bracket to advance to the tournament's second day.
Saturday, Swirple fell by pin to Juan Edmond-Holmes from Lander (Pa.), then lost a 3-2 decision to Lee Herrington of Nebraska-Kearney in the seventh-place match.

With the eighth-place finish, Swirple earned NCAA All-American honors and became the program's second NCAA All-American, joining 2018 All-American Mitchell Eull.

"Jake is an impressive student-athlete," Minot State head coach Evan Forde said. "Being successful at one sport at this level is difficult. He is able to excel at two sports. That's rare. He has a lot to be proud of."

Swirple also is the center on the offensive line for Minot State's football team.

His eighth-place finish led the way for Minot State, which also sent Oscar Nellis to nationals to compete at 125 pounds, and James Davis, who wrestled at 133. Thought neither advanced to Saturday's action, they helped the Beavers as a team score 4.5 team points and finish 37^th in the team standings.

"This was a great season for us," Forde said. "I'm proud of our team. We have a great group of gritty individuals. They make my job a lot of fun."