Garrett Bonte qualifies for National Championships

By Kelsie Hoitomt

Glenwood City’s own Garrett Bonte qualified for the NCAA III National Championships for the first time in his career as a Luther Norse after placing second at the NCAA III Central Regional Competition.

Bonte is in his third year at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa since graduating from Glenwood City in 2010.

 Bonte was 21-11 going into the Regional tournament at 165 pounds. He received a bye the first round and then earned his first win of the day on a 8-4 decision over Joe Butler of Loras.

In the semi-finals, Bonte wrestled fellow junior, Cory Stratton of Simpson and won by a major decision of 11-1.

Bonte then lost in the final match on a 15-8 decision against Landon Williams, a junior from Wartburg who was the top seed in the weight class with a 30-1 record.

As a team, Luther had ten individuals at the Regional tournament and six of them qualified for the National Championships. This is the first time since 2009 that Luther has qualified at least six wrestlers.

Bonte will wrestle in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the National Championships on the weekend of March 15-16.