The Drury Dozen is an annual list of our favorite moments of the year from Drury Athletics. The list is not necessarily the most significant events, but the special games and moments that we'll always associate with 2019-20.
 
The most significant moment, obviously, came on Mar. 11 when the sports world stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That halt robbed us of games and accomplishments that would have likely taken up several spots on this list. 
 
We can take pride in the fact, however, that even though the year was cut short, what happened between Sept. 1, 2019, and Mar. 10, 2020, provided so many great moments in a variety of sports that it was still difficult to trim the list to just 12. 
 
We'll provide honorable mention selections later in the countdown, but, for now, here is our fourth entry from 2019-20: 
 
#5 – Kuster and Rennick advance to national wrestling championship
 
March 1, 2020 – Hays, Kan.
The NCAA-II Super Region IV in Hays, Kansas was a loaded tournament that featured a handful of nationally-ranked teams and scores of individual wrestlers ranked among the top 12 in the country within their respective weight classes. However, it was out this field that the Drury Panthers would send two from their team to the NCAA-II national championship tournament, marking the first time in program history they squad advanced multiple wrestlers to the event.
Peter Kuster reached the national tournament with a third-place finish in the 141-pound class. Kuster won his first match of the day edging Nate Keim of Central Oklahoma 4-3, then fell to Brandon Ball from Fort Hays State and ranked second nationally, 6-2, in the semifinals. Kuster bounced back to pin Baylor Smith from Newman in 2:06, then the sophomore from Jefferson City punched his ticket to nationals winning a rematch with Keim 5-2.
In the heavyweight division, Jared Rennick also reached nationals with a third-place finish. Rennick entered the regional ranked sixth in nationally in the heavyweight class and started the regional tournament with a 5-2 win over Bellarmine's Brian Stears. Caleb Gossett from McKendree and ranked seventh in the country, earned a 3-1 decision over Rennick, but the junior from Washington, Missouri, stayed alive on the bracket with a 10-2 Major Decision against Johnny Green of Ouachita Baptist. Rennick then won his third-place match against Fort Hays State's AJ Cooper 10-6.
"We are proud of Peter and Jared for qualifying to the NCAA-II Championships," said Drury head coach James Reynolds. "This tournament is a really important benchmark on their way to performance goals."
 
It turned into a bittersweet accomplishment for Rennick, Kuster, and the Panthers. After going through a workout at the championship site in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the tournament was canceled by the NCAA just before it got underway. The good news for Drury is, both Kuster and Rennick return and will have another shot at a national tournament appearance…and maybe next time, the Panthers will send even more than two to the Big Dance.
 
Regional Coverage
 
THE DRURY DOZEN 2019-20 COUNTDOWN
DU Dozen #6 – DU women's swimming & diving wins fourth straight GLVC title
DU Dozen #7 – Drury volleyball takes down #12 Rockhurst
DU Dozen #8 – DU triathlon wins Central Regional Qualifier
DU Dozen #9 – Lady Panthers rally for road win at Bellarmine
DU Dozen #10 – Panthers beat Pittsburg State in overtime in Las Vegas
DU Dozen #11 – Jamie O'Brien's OT goal gives Drury a road win at Lewis
DU Dozen #12 – Tom Tewes sets team record with 13 strikeouts
 
2019 Drury Dozen
2018 Drury Dozen
 
 
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