Freshman heavyweight Andre Baguma won an MCAC/Region 13 title and sophomores Rees Lehman, 141, and Hunter Roller, 184, wrestled to runner-up finishes during the MCAC/NJCAA Region 13 wrestling tournament Sunday at Minnesota West Community & Technical Colllege in Worthington to punch their tickets to the NJCAA Wrestling Championships next month.

Baguma entered the tournament as the top-seed in a three-man bracket and watched as Itasca’s Devin Reynolds pinned Rochester’s Darrel Noble in the semifinal round. Baguma was 2-1 against Reynolds in the regular season, with both wins combing by fall and the loss by injury default.

On Sunday, Baguma wore Reynolds down during a scoreless first period. Reynolds got on the board first, with an escape 15 seconds into the second period. Baguma tied the match 1-1 with a quick escape to open the third and he immediately scored a takedown to take 3-1 lead.

Reynolds cut Baguma’s lead to 3-2 with a minute remaining in the match. Rather than sit back and protect a one-point lead, Baguma kept attacking. With fifteen seconds remaining in the match he used a double leg takedown to put Reynolds on his back for the eventual fall.

“Andre has been our most consistent wrestler this season and he is continuing to get better as the season progresses,” said Head Coach Scott DCamp. “His strength and conditioning will both be assets when he competes at the national tournament.”

Roller reached the championship match at 184 with a win by fall over Tristen Todd of Ridgewater, before losing by fall to Rochester’s Alex LaPierre in the championship match.

Wrestling in a two-man bracket at 141 pounds, Lehman trailed Rochester’s Dillon McGee 2-0 after one period. He rode McGee for the entire second period but trailed 3-0 after McGee received a penalty point for unnecessary roughness. Lehman was still working from the top-position late in the third period when tried using a power half to turn McGee for the win. Instead McGee got a reversal and rideout to win 5-0.

“Rees battled hard against a former Minnesota state runner-up,” DCamp said. “I knew Rees’ style could match-up well with McGee. One turn and a rideout would have given Rees the win.”

Also placing for the Pioneers were freshmen Kaven Blazek, third at 165; Tommy Scheett, third at 174; and sophomore Kyle Fowler, fifth at 157.

Northland finished third in the team race behind champion Rochester and runner-up Itasca. The 2019 NJCAA Wrestling Championships will be held in Council Bluffs, Iowa, March 1-2.