Seaman grad Steven Cooksley qualifies for NCAA Div. II Nationals
2010 Seaman High grad and current Newman University Jet Steven Cooksley qualified for the NCAA Division II
Nationals on Sunday by virtue of his fourth-place finish at 197-pounds at the NCAA Div. II Super Regional 3
hosted by Saint Cloud State University. The nationals will take place March 9-10 in Pueblo, Colorado on the
campus of Southern Colorado University.
Cooksley was one of two qualifiers for the Jets. The other being Mitch Arnold, who competes in the 141 pound
weight class. Newman finished tenth in the twelve-team regional. Cooksley opened the tournament with a fall
over his University of Wisconsin-Parkside opponent, lost in the next round to his Southwest Minnesota State
opponent, then earned an incredible three falls in the consolation bracket over opponents from Minnesota
State, Minnesota State-Moorhead, and Upper Iowa University to enter the consolation finals. There he dropped
a 5-2 decision to his Augustana (SD) opponent to finish fourth.
Super Regional 3 involved #1 Saint Cloud, #3 Upper Iowa, and #5 Augustana (SD); arguably the deepest
regional in the country. Steven had been in and out of the Jet’s line-up this season and was a last minute
addition to their Regional roster due to an injury of the regular. With a twelve-hour drive and coming in to the
tournament unseeded, Cooksley’s was an impressive finish.
Cooksley earned a Centennial League title and two state medals (3rd place in 2010, 6th in 2009) while wrestling
for the Vikings. Additionally, he was a USAW-KS Triple Crown winner for earning Folkstyle, Freestyle, and
Greco state titles during the spring and summer of 2010. He was a First Team Academic All-State selection in
high school and maintains Honor Student status at Newman University.
