Jake Swirple

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The memorable run for Minot State senior Jake Swirple came to an end with All-American honors and a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships on Saturday, March 15.

After back-to-back victories on Friday to advance to the national semifinals in the 285-pound weight class – becoming the first-ever Minot State University (MSU) wrestler to reach the NCAA national semifinals – Swirple finished his time at nationals with three straight setbacks on Saturday.

Battling for his shot at the national title, Swirple lost a 6-0 decision to No. 2-ranked Ryan Herman in the semifinals to start his final day of competition.

Knocked into the consolation bracket semifinal, the MSU senior battled into overtime with No. 4-ranked Dorian Crosby from Gannon before a takedown in sudden-victory OT by Crosby led to a 4-1 loss for Swirple.

In the fifth-place match, Swirple battled unranked Freddie Retter from Kutztown. Retter started his run at nationals with an upset win over No. 1-ranked Crew Howard from Nebraska-Kearney.

Retter won the fifth-place match by a 12-1 major decision, leaving Swirple in sixth place and with his second NCAA All-American honor in men’s wrestling.

Swirple also was an NCAA All-American following the 2022-23 season when he finished eighth at nationals. His sixth-place finish matches the all-time best NCAA National Tournament finish in MSU history, equaling a sixth-place finish by Mitchell Eull at the 2017-18 NCAA National Tournament.