NIU freshman Steve Zimmerman has wrestled in two tournaments in his collegiate career.

So far, Zimmerman has two tournament titles at 149 pounds.

After winning the title at the Pointer Open two weeks ago, Zimmerman continued his recent success with a victory Saturday at the Kaufman/Brand Open in Omaha, Neb.

Zimmerman defeated Minnesota’s Mario Mason, rated by Intermatwrestle.com as the No. 3 recruit in the country this past year, in the finals with a 4-3 decision.

“It was a big win for him,” said NIU head coach Dave Grant. “That kid from Minnesota was one of the top recruits in the country.”

The Kaufman/Brand is the biggest single-day collegiate meet, and featured over 400 wrestlers from each division.

There are two separate tournaments for each weight class, the 20 and under amateur division, and the 21 and over elite division. Zimmerman, NIU’s lone winner, won the title in the amateur division.

“You’re wrestling five to eight matches, and when you have 30-something guys at your weight class, it’s a very competitive setting,” Grant said. “I was very proud of how our guys competed.”

Other Huskie highlights included two top five finishes in the 125 pound amateur division. Freshman Izzy Montemayor came in third place, while fellow freshman Bob Wunnicke came in fifth.

In the elite division, Vince Castillo finished fifth at 141 pounds while Bryan Deutsch finished fourth at 157 pounds.