BOISE, Idaho – Boise State won the final five bouts of the night to claim a 21-16 win over North Dakota State in non-conference wrestling action Friday, Jan. 20. The Bison fall to 4-5 with the loss, while Boise State improves to 2-7.
Junior Trent Sprenkle gave the Bison an early 6-0 lead after winning by forfeit at 125 pounds.
Senior Justin Solberg followed up with a 16-8 major decision win over Shawn Jones at 133 pounds. Solberg was down 7-3 after the first period, but used three takedowns and two three-point near falls in the second and third periods to claim the win.
At 141 pounds, junior Tyler Diamond found himself in a close match with Josh Strait. With the score tied at 2-2 after two periods, Strait earned an escape early in the third to claim a 3-2 win.
Junior Mark Erickson defeated Steven Hernandez, 10-6, at 149 pounds. With the score tied at 4-4 early in the third period, Erickson finished strong, taking the lead on a three-point near fall and cementing the win with a late takedown.
At 157 pounds, sophomore Steven Monk gave the Bison a 16-3 lead and their fourth win of the night with an 8-4 win over No. 17 George Ivanov. Ivanov had a 4-2 lead after one period, thanks to two takedowns, but Monk shut him out the rest of the way. A second period reversal and a last second takedown and two-point near fall in the third clinched the win for Monk.
Michael Cuthbertson defeated senior Tyler Johnson 4-1 at 165 pounds to start the Bronco rally. Scott Bacon followed up with a 4-1 win over junior Joe Garner at 174 pounds and No. 9 Jake Swartz earned a 4-0 shutout win over junior Mac Stoll at 184 pounds to make it a 16-12 match.
Boise State took an 18-16 lead after Brent Chriswell pinned redshirt freshman John Gusewelle in 1 minute 46 seconds.
The match came down to the heavyweight bout between freshman Evan Knutson and J.T. Felix. Felix took a 4-1 lead in the first period after two takedowns. Felix extended his lead to 7-2 with a minute to go in the match. Knutson was able to score a late takedown and a stalling point, but it was too late as Felix claimed an 8-5 win and Boise State completed its comeback win.
The Bison continue their west coast road trip Sunday, Jan. 22 with a 4 p.m. Central bout at No. 17 Oregon State.
Boise State 21 North Dakota State 16
125: Trent Sprenkle (NDSU) wins by forfeit (0-6)
133: Justin Solberg (NDSU) maj. Shawn Jones (BSU), 16-8 (0-10)
141: Josh Strait (BSU) dec. Tyler Diamond (NDSU), 3-2 (3-10)
149: Mark Erickson (NDSU) dec. Steven Hernandez (BSU), 10-6 (3-13)
157: Steven Monk (NDSU) dec. George Ivanov (BSU), 8-4 (3-16)
165: Michael Cuthbertson (BSU) dec. Tyler Johnson (NDSU), 4-1 (6-16)
174: Scott Bacon (BSU) dec. Joe Garner (NDSU), 4-1 (9-16)
184: Jake Swartz (BSU) dec. Mac Stoll (SDSU), 4-0 (12-16)
197: Brent Chriswell (BSU)fall John Gusewelle (SDSU)1:46 (18-16)
Hwt: J.T. Felix (BSU) dec. Evan Knutson (SDSU), 8-5 (21-16)