Home-hosted championship will continue to produce special memories

There is something undeniably special about the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship. And there is something extra special about one in Omaha. The NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship is a six-ring circus, and Mike Denney is the best ring master there is. I have had the pleasure and honor to be there for the three-consecutive national championships Denney and the Mavericks won, and there was no better show than what was put on in Omaha.

In 2004, UNO was ranked second all year. It was the final year for North Dakota State in Division II, and some had already crowned them national champions. After the first day of competition, the Bison had a pretty big lead, and their fans were partying by the hotel pool. Denney met with his team in his room . . . which happened to overlook the festivities.

"We will celebrate tomorrow night," Denney said.

In the second day of competition, UNO chipped away at North Dakota State's lead. The Bison started dropping a few matches. This was the day UNO wrestling legends were made. Dustin Tovar and Patrick Allibone made the finals. J.D. Naig had some big points on pure grit, and Eli Dominguez also made himself an All American. It was a total team effort that came down to a couple North Dakota State championship losses and the final match of the tournament. Sophomore Les Sigman won his second-consecutive national title, helping the Mavs to a 2 point win.

I had traveled with some of the coaches to that tournament in Mankato, Minnesota, and I remember Chad Wallace (who had won his national title a year earlier) nearly mauling me in my seat in celebration after the victory. That was also the first year I wore a red tie for the second day of competition.

The following year was supposed to be UNO's year. They won everything. They were No. 1 in the nation all year. . . until they lost the regional to Augustana. That was only fuel for the fire as J.D. Naig and Patrick Allibone turned in national championship performances joining Sigman who won his third. Three other Mavericks became All Americans, and UNO didn't have to wait until the final match to win the national title. They won it on the second-to-last match. Sigman's title was the victory lap.

That was a show. Denney and all the support staff knew how important this was to the great wrestling community, and they gave the fans something to love. It was the first time the national finals were streamed live online. The finals also featured an elevated floor, which put many fans at eye level and put champions on center stage. And Coach Denney and company donned tuxedos for the final round. And not one to break superstition, I sported my now-lucky red tie.

A year later, with tie firmly in place, UNO went wire-to-wire to win its third-consecutive national championship. Sigman capped off his career by becoming a four-time national champion. Cody Ortiz won the 125-pound crown to give the Mavericks bookend titles.

That was a weekend I got to know Jacob Marrs, a redshirt at the time. He was another recruit who believed in the system and worked for his shot. His work has paid off, and I can't help but get excited for the possibilities this year. The stage will be bigger. The lights will be brighter. But Denney and company know how to produce a sequel that will leave the home audience wanting another.

This is special, folks. While UNO wrestling fans are spoiled, you never know when you will get to see something this special again. I won't miss it for the world, and I'm bringing my tie with me.