MINOT, N.D. – It's another history-making individual performance that continues our countdown, this one coming from the wrestling mats and the Beavers' youngest sports program.
No. 5 on Buckshot's Best of 2025 is women's wrestler Haleigh Lematta, who earned a second straight berth to the NCWWC National Tournament, becoming the 1st Beaver women's wrestler to earn two national tournament berths.
A two-sport student-athlete who also plays softball for Minot State, Lematta had a stellar debut for the Beavers in women's wrestling during the 2023-24 season as she finished 4
th in the 143-pound weight class at the NCWWC Region VI Tournament, earning her first trip to nationals.
Looking to build off that success, Lematta headed to the NCWWC Region VIII Tournament unranked but rose to the occasion and battled her way into the semifinals in the 145-pound weight class before suffering her first loss at Regionals.
Regrouping, she wrestled her way into the consolation championship before another loss sent her into the fourth-place match where the winner advances to nationals, and the loser's season ends.
Lematta prevailed in the winner-take-all match, advancing to the NCWWC National Tournament for her second time, becoming the sixth Beaver all-time to qualify, and making history as Minot State's only 2-time women's wrestling national qualifier.
Adding a fitting finish to her historic season, Lematta picked up her first win at nationals, a win by pin in consolation-bracket action, before wrapping up her second season at Minot State.
BUCKSHOT'S BEST OF 2025
No. 10: Minot State soccer finishes 4
th in NSIC, hosts playoff game
No. 9: Minot State men's hockey claims MCH Tournament title in 1
st season as an MCH member
No. 8: Beaver women's hockey goalie and freshman Jillian Ackerman earns All-American honors
No. 7: Jace Carlisle shoots school-record 7-under 65, finishes 4
th at NSIC Championship to earn NSIC All-Tournament Team honors
No. 6: Jaxon Gunville sets career 3-pointer record with 316 made 3s, and ties the single-game 3-pointer record
No. 5: Haleigh Lematta earns return to NCWWC Nationals Tournament becoming 1st Beaver women's wrestler to qualify twice for Nationals.
No. 4: Revealed December 29
No. 3: Revealed December 30
No. 2: Revealed December 31
No. 1: Revealed January 1
