Mustangs get back on track with NSIC victory over U-Mary
MARSHALL, Minn.– The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team won seven out of 10 matches earning a 21-10 dual victory over the University of Mary on Saturday afternoon in Marshall. The Mustangs improve to 8-5 overall on the season, 2-3 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference while U-Mary falls to 4-3, 1-4 NSIC.
Jacob Begin had to fight hard to win his 10th consecutive match picking up an 8-5 decision gaining three points as the buzzer went off in the final period.
Travis Borchert (125 pounds) won his 10th bout of the season picking up a 5-1 decision over Hunter Menendez to give the Mustangs an early 3-0 lead. Justin Reinsma pushed SMSU’s lead to 6-0 with a 6-1 decision over Kyle Larson at 133 pounds.
The Marauders cut SMSU’s lead to two when Trevor Johnson, ranked fourth in the nation at 141 pounds, earned a 12-3 major decision over Ethan Hildebrandt.
Codie Lane got the crowd to its feet at the PE Gym after trailing 7-3 in the third period and coming back to win an 11-9 decision over John Amundson to give the Mustangs a 9-4 lead heading into the 157-pound bout.
The Marauder’s Collin Engelhardt needed overtime to take a 3-1 decision from SMSU’s Casey Field at 157 pounds to bring U-Mary within two at 9-7. Begin (165 pounds) was in jeopardy of losing his first match in 10 tries before he picked up a late reversal and a takedown to score three points as the buzzer sounded earning an 8-5 decision over Taylor Nagel. The Mustangs took a 12-7 lead into the 174-pound bout.
Trent Molacek (174 pounds) earned a hard-fought 5-4 decision over John Devito to give the Mustangs a 15-7 lead. Brady Anderson rebounded for the Marauders earning a 5-1 decision over SMSU’s Andrew Rodas to cut the Mustangs lead to 15-10.
Martin Hagen (197 pounds) fought off a late surge by Kriss McCleary to earn a 7-5 decision giving the Mustangs an 18-10 lead. Brian Rodas sealed the victory for the Mustangs earning a 7-4 decision over Martin Patron in the heavyweight match as the Mustangs went on to win the dual 21-10.
Southwest Minnesota State returns to action next Friday hosting Concordia (Moorhead) in a non-conference dual beginning at 7 p.m. at the PE Gym in Marshall.
Southwest Minnesota State 21 Mary 10
125: Travis Borchert dec. Hunter Menendez, 5-1, SMSU leads 3-0
133: Justin Reinsma dec. Kyle Larson, 6-2, SMSU leads 6-0
141: Trevor Johnson maj. dec. Ethan Hildebrandt, 12-3, SMSU leads 6-4
149: Codie Lane dec. John Amundson, 11-9, SMSU leads 9-4
157: Collin Engelhardt dec. Casey Field, 3-1 OT, SMSU leads 9-7
165: Jacob Begin dec. Taylor Nagel, 8-5, SMSU leads 12-7
174: Trent Molacek dec. John Devito, 5-4, SMSU leads 15-7
184: Brady Anderson dec. Andrew Rodas, 5-1, SMSU leads 15-10
197: Martin Hagen dec. Kriss McCleary, 7-5, SMSU leads 18-10
285: Brian Rodas dec. Martin Patron, 7-4, SMSU leads 21-10