Jayson Ness pins his way through the Auggie Open

Written by Caleb Williams on January 13th, 2010

On November 21, I had the privilege of shooting University of Minnesota wrestler Jayson Ness pin his way through the Auggie-Brute-Adidas Open at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn. Ness — the second-ranked wrestler in NCAA Division I and three-time All-American — had no problems with his Division II and III and NAIA opponents.

In the first round, Ness pinned unattached wrestler Mitch Spano (below) in just 40 seconds. Spano is a 2009 graduate of Woodbury High School (Woodbury, Minn.).

Mitch Spano (right) during his match with Jayson Ness on November 21, 2009. Ness pinned Spano just 40 seconds into the first period.

In the next round Ness faced then ninth-ranked Malik Stewart of Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) (NAIA). Stewart, who had pinned his opponent in the first round, fell to Ness at the 2:03 mark of the first period.

Except for brief period of the match were Stewart forced Ness to roll-through on his back, Ness maintained control most of the match. Here he takes a look at the clock before trying to turn Stewart.

Ness going for the turn, which he eventually gets, sticking Stewart at the 2:03 mark.

Up next for Ness was Augsburg wrestler Paul Bjorkstrand. Bjorkstrand — who was at one time ranked eighth in the country at DIII and is currently ranked tenth — made his return to the Augsburg lineup at the Auggie Open after taking a year off during the 2008–09 season.

Ness grapples with Paul Bjorkstrand.

Ness talks to a referee after his match with Paul Bjorkstrand.

In the finals match, Ness was faced Upper Iowa University’s Kyle Pedretti. Pedretti is the sixth-ranked wrestler in Division II and was the only wrestler at the Open to wrestle Ness into the second period. Ness earned his pin at the 4:07 mark.