Nieman was the runner-up in the 149-pound bracket at the Pete Willson Invitational Jan. 25-26, going 4-1 on the weekend. In advancing to the championship round, Nieman pinned Olivet's Drew Mandell in a come-from-behind win (6:22) in the semifinals. Nieman started with a 9-5 decision against John Carroll's Jarrad Lasko (D3wrestle.com's honorable mention), and followed with a 9-6 decision against Alex Heiden of UW-Stevens Point and a 12-8 decision against Ferrum's Collin Saunders (D3wrestle.com's contender).