SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — In an action-packed first day at the NCAA Division II National Championships, Minnesota State University’s Adam Cooling (Jr., 174 lbs.) and Malcolm Allen (R-Sr., 285 lbs.) advanced all the way to the semifinals, where they will compete again tomorrow. Matt Mincey (R-Sr., 157 lbs.) also advanced to day two.

Cooling went a successful 2-0 on the day, pulling off several solid victories en route to the semifinals. In his first career NCAA tournament match, Cooling defeated John Blankenship (Pitt-Johnstown) by a narrow 3-2 decision. In his quarterfinal matchup, Cooling again won by a 3-2 decision, this time against Nick Vandermeer (Lake Erie). Cooling will face top-ranked and undefeated Nick Becker (UW-Parkside) in the semifinals, who stands at 40-0 on the season.

Malcolm Allen continued his recent streak of success by going 2-0 on the day to advance to the semifinals. Allen defeated Damon Sims (Pitt-Johnstown) in the first round by an 8-6 decision. In an impressive upset, Allen defeated top-ranked Garrett Gray (Tiffin) in the quarterfinals by a 4-2 decision. Allen will return to action for the semifinals tomorrow, where he will square off against Donnell Walker (Maryville).

Matt Mincey reached the quarterfinals and then won his third match of the day to advance to day two in the consolation bracket. In the opening round, Mincey won by technical fall over Samphanh Viengmany (Tiffin), 18-0. He was defeated in the quarterfinals by Brady Bersano (California Baptist) by a 13-4 major decision. In the consolation round, Mincey topped Chase White (Nebraska-Kearney) for the second time this season to advance to the second day of action. He will compete against either Devin Austin (Pitt-Johnstown) or DeAndre Johnson (Limestone College) to start tomorrow.

Scott VanDeLoo (Sr., 184 lbs.) would go 1-2 on the day to close out his Maverick career. In his first match of the day, VanDeLoo was defeated by Montrail Johnson (UW-Parkside) in a 5-2 decision. He won his first match in the consolation round over Zack Slotten (Colorado Mesa) by a 7-3 decision. In VanDeLoo’s final match of the day, he fell short to Uthman Rabiu (St. Cloud State) by decision, 6-4.

Action will take a short intermission until tomorrow, where it will resume at 10:00 a.m. The semifinals and the rest of the consolation bracket will take place at the time. The day will close out with the Division II NCAA Championships that begin at 7:00 p.m.

NCAA Division II National Championships Brackets/Results on TrackWrestling.com

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