Former Breckenridge-Wahpeton wrestler Aidan Ruddy has punched his ticket to nationals for the Concordia Cobbers. Ruddy (17-10) finished second at the NCAA Division III Region 7 Tournament.

Ruddy, a 149-pound junior, upset the top-seeded, sixth-ranked wrestler in the nation — Zach Sato (37-7), University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire — in a 7-6 decision when he scampered for an escape in the final seconds.

Sato was a 2023-24 NCAA All-American.

Ruddy’s national-qualifier performance comes on the heels of a victory at the Cobber Last Shot in Tournament back on Feb. 8. This year’s DIII National Tournament will take place in Rhode Island.