Bison Defeat South Dakota State 32-9 in WWC Opener
FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State wrestling team defeated South Dakota State, 32-9, in the Western Wrestling Conference opener for both teams in front of 376 fans at the Bison Sports Arena Tuesday, Dec. 6. The Bison (1-1, 1-0 WWC) won eight of ten bouts and claimed victory in their opening home dual for the fourth time in five years.
At 125 pounds, No. 14 Trent Sprenkle opened action with a 4-0 win over South Dakota State’s (1-2, 0-1 WWC) Aaron Pickrel. Sprenkle tallied a first period takedown and a second period escape as well as a point for riding time to claim the win.
After Justin Solberg won by forfeit at 133 pounds to give NDSU an early 9-0 lead, SDSU’s Dustin Walraven claimed a 7-6 win over Tyler Diamond at 141 pounds, thanks to a late third period escape.
The Bison then notched wins in the next five bouts, beginning with Mark Erickson’s 4-0 win over Andrew Youngblom at 149 pounds. Erickson scored a first period takedown and tallied an escape in the third to clinch the win.
At 157 pounds, No. 17 Steven Monk and SDSU’s Nick Flynn battled to a scoreless first period. Monk earned an escape in the second period and sealed a 3-0 win with a takedown with seven seconds remaining in the match.
Tyler Johnson opened with a strong first period against Dillon Reid at 165 pounds, scoring two takedowns and a three point near fall. A second period takedown and third period reversal clinched the 12-5 win for Johnson.
At 174 pounds, Kurtis Julson jumped out to a 6-3 lead before pinning Joe Rasmussen with nine seconds to go in the second period. Julson’s pin gave NDSU a 24-3 lead.
Mac Stoll won an 11-3 major decision over Tony Lisek at 184 pounds, thanks in part to a dominant second period where Stoll earned an escape, a takedown and a three-point near fall. Two minutes and 41 seconds of riding time clinched the major decision.
At 197 pounds, John Gusewelle opened with a takedown, but a reversal by Nick Mart resulted in a pin for the Jackrabbit in 1:55. Mart’s win cut the score to 28-9.
In the night’s finale, Evan Knutson put the exclamation point on the Bison win with an 11-3 major decision win over Joe Skow. Knutson tallied four takedowns and one reversal in the win.
The Bison will next compete in the Husky Open in St. Cloud, Minn. Dec. 10. Dual action resumes Dec. 18 as NDSU plays host to No. 21 Nebraska at 1 p.m. at the Bison Sports Arena.
North Dakota State 32, South Dakota State 9
125: Trent Sprenkle (NDSU) dec. Aaron Pickrel (SDSU), 4-0
133: Justin Solberg (NDSU) win by forfeit
141: Dustin Walraven (SDSU) dec. Tyler Diamond (NDSU), 7-6
149: Mark Erickson (NDSU) dec. Andrew Youngblom (SDSU), 4-0
157: Steven Monk (NDSU) dec. Nick Flynn (SDSU), 3-0
165: Tyler Johnson (NDSU) dec. Dillon Reid (SDSU), 12-5
174: Kurtis Julson (NDSU) fall Joe Rasmussen (SDSU), 4:51
184: Mac Stoll (NDSU) maj. dec. Tony Lisek (SDSU), 11-3
197: Nick Mart (SDSU) fall John Gusewelle (NDSU), 1:55
Hwt: Evan Knutson (NDSU) maj. dec. Joe Skow (SDSU), 11-3