The Pursuit of Excellence.
That simple phrase, emblazoned on the back of Augsburg wrestler Marcus LeVesseur's warm-up T-shirt, is taking on a special meaning for the three-time NCAA Division III national champion as he searches for perfection on the mat and peace in his personal life.
LeVesseur defeated Minnesota State Moorhead senior Nate Baker 3-2 Tuesday night at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse, extending the 165-pound senior's unbeaten streak to 140 consecutive matches in his quest to become the second person in NCAA history to finish undefeated over an entire four-year career. Augsburg defeated MSUM 35-3.
"I really had no self-guidance," LeVesseur said of his off-the-mat issues. "I allowed myself to make really poor decisions. Partying and alcohol were catalysts. But it's really just bad decisions."
LeVesseur, who redshirted a year at the University of Minnesota before transferring to Augsburg, has endured a string of troubles the past two years, including a couple of run-ins with the police after nights of heavy drinking.
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The worst of it came when he was charged with fifth-degree assault, damage to property and disorderly conduct after he was caught throwing objects at undercover police officers during a football game.
LeVesseur eventually withdrew from school and took the rest of the year off to clean up and get his life back on track. He attended drug and alcohol rehabilitation twice in the last year.
"Things are headed in a perfect direction," he said. "I'm back in school. (The troubles) are behind me. I just can't allow myself to do those things anymore."
LeVesseur's match with Baker, last year's Division II champion at 165 pounds, was close throughout.
The Nemzek Fieldhouse crowd sat in near silence as the wrestlers felt each other out during the opening minute of the first period.
LeVesseur and Baker each took shots at a takedown before the first period ended tied at 0-0.
LeVesseur, who took last year off due to personal issues, took a 1-0 lead with an escape early in the second period.
Baker tied the match at 1-1 with an escape early in the third.
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"I felt I wrestled a good, solid match," Baker said. "I got some shots. But he's a good wrestler and he got some good athletic ability."
LeVesseur scored a takedown with 47 seconds remaining to go up 3-1.
Baker picked up another point with an escape with 32 seconds remaining in the match, but LeVesseur kept control the rest of the way for the win.
"I never say my wrestling is ever perfect," said LeVesseur, who can join Iowa State's Cael Sanderson as the only wrestlers to finish a four-year career undefeated if he continues on his current path. "When I look at this match on tape I'll see some things I've got to work on. With the (undefeated) record, having no losses, that's exciting. ... I love pressure. That's when I'm at peak performance. I'd rather be performing in the spotlight.
"But I'd rather it be on the mat."
125: Flodeen, AC, dec. Dschaak, 10-2
133: Bjorkstrand, AC, dec. McFarland, 13-6
141: Osborn, AC, pinned Jahnke, 4:01
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149: Evans, AC, dec. Walton, 8-0
157: Hansen, AC, pinned Trout, 5:37
165: LeVesseur, AC, dec. Baker, 3-2
174: Tubbs, MSUM, dec. Gotreau, 6-5
184: Lynaugh, AC, dec. Nelson, 6-1
197: O'Connor, AC, dec. Bush, 4-2
285: Neumann, AC, dec. Facchinni, 10-1
Readers can reach Forum reporter
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Heath Hotzler at (701) 241-5562.
Hotzler's small college blog can be found
