CHADRON, Neb. - The Colorado School of Mines wrestling team qualified five individuals for the 2005 NCAA Division II Wrestling National Championships on Saturday at the NCAA West Regional/Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships, which were hosted by Chadron State College in its' Nelson Physical Activities Center.

Junior heavyweight Derek Thompson (Cortez, Colo./Dolores) led the way as he finished second in his weight class. It is the second straight year Thompson has qualified for nationals after he earned All-American honors with an eighth place finish last season.

Three of the other four qualifiers will all be making their first trip to the national championships this year.

Senior 165-pounder Peter Jenson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Rampart) qualified after finishing third in his braket, while the other three qualifiers all placed fourth in their weight classes.

That group included sophomore 133-pounder Garrett Eller (Kremmling, Colo./West Grand), freshman 184-pounder Dillon Blackmon (Norman, Okla./Norman) and senior 197-pounder D.C. Hazen (Arlington, Wash./Central Washington), who earned a trip to nationals and was an All-American while at Central Washington.

The five individuals and third-year Head Coach Steve Kimpel will travel to Omaha, Neb., for the 2005 NCAA Division II National Championships on Mar. 11-12.

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