Springfield, Ill. — #8 King College won the last four matches to turn a 14-7 deficit into an 18-14 victory over Minnesota State in the opening round of the NWCA Cliff Keen National Duals.
Division III National Duals Results
Senior 125-lb David Demo opened the scoring for MSU as he defeated Tanner Bates in a 5-2 decision. After losing back-to-back matches at 133-lb and 141-lb MSU rattled off three consecutive victories. The three-match run was highlighted by major decision victories by junior Jesse Westphal at 149-lb and freshman Cody Quinn at 165-lb.
The 14-0 major decision victory by Quinn would be the last time that MSU would score as King College would win the last four matches all via decisions highlighted by a 2-1 OT decision win by Charles Morgan over senior Pat Mahan.
MSU bounced back to defeat Central Missouri in an elimination match 35-6. Demo gave MSU a 5-0 advantage winning a 16-0 tech fall. After losing back-to-back matches at 133-lb and 141-lb, MSU would win the final seven matches.
Included in that run were two decisions, three major decisions, one fall and one forfeit. Senior Tel Todd, Quinn, and Brandon Pederson all recorded major decision winners. Mahan defeated Derick Sanders via fall at the 2:29 mark.
MSU fell to UW-Parkside 23-18 in their second consecutive elimination bout. Demo won in a 4-2 decision at 125-lb. Parkside went on to win the next two matches, including a fall at 133-lb.
MSU ripped off three consecutive wins at 149-lb, 157-lb and 165-lb. Todd and Quinn each tallied falls in that stretch.
Following the Quinn fall, UW-Parkside won the final four matches, including two major decisions.
MSU will next be in competition on January 21 in the Rangers Duals.