Mustangs hang on for 17-16 dual victory over No. 18 Concordia
MARSHALL, Minn. – Concordia College (Moorhead), ranked 18th in the nation in Division III, won the last four weight classes, but Southwest Minnesota State was able to hang on for a 17-16 dual victory on Friday night in Marshall.
SMSU improves to 9-5 on the season, its highest win total since the 2002-03 season. Jacob Begin won his 11th straight bout picking up a 15-2 decision at 165 pounds. SMSU improves to 6-0 in home duals on the season, dropping the Cobbers to 7-11 overall on the season.
Travis Borchert (125 pounds) opened the dual with a 9-0 major decision over Hieu Pham to give the Mustangs an early 4-0 lead. Justin Reinsma would add to the Mustangs lead in the 133-pound bout picking up a 7-1 decision over Jake Kostik to put SMSU up 7-0.
Southwest Minnesota State extended its lead to 10-0 after Ethan Hildebrandt picked up a 3-1 decision over Chad Mack at 141 pounds.
The Cobbers got on the board in the 149-pound bout with Kyle LeDuc earning an 11-3 decision over Codie Lane to make the score 10-4 in favor of the Mustangs. Casey Field rebounded for the Mustangs winning the 157-pound bout in a 3-2 decision over Kevin Fynboh to give the Mustangs a 13-4 lead.
Jacob Begin won his 11th consecutive match, improving to 20-4 on the season, earning a 15-2 major decision over Josten Coleman in the 165-pound bout, extending the Mustangs lead to 17-4. Concordia-Moorhead struck again in the 174-pound bout when Sebastian Gardner needed overtime to earn a 5-3 decision over Trent Molacek.
The Cobbers continued to cut into SMSU’s lead when Chris Harrison earned a 10-5 decision over Andrew Rodas at 184 pounds to come within seven at 17-10. Concordia-Moorhead would make things interesting when Nate Schmitz earned a 13-6 over Micah Larson, who wrestled up a class from his 184-pound weight class to 197 pounds, to bring the Cobbers within four at 17-13.
Cody Kasprick made things interesting for the Mustangs earning a 5-4 decision over Brian Rodas in the heavyweight bout but the Mustangs hung on for a 17-16 victory.
Southwest Minnesota State returns to NSIC-action next Friday traveling to MSU Moorhead for a dual with the dragons beginning at 7 p.m. before closing out the regular season against Minnesota State, Mankato on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. at the PE Gym.
Southwest Minnesota State University 17, Concordia 16
125 – Travis Borchert (SMS) maj. dec. Hieu Pham, 9-0
133 – Justin Reinsma (SMS) dec. Jake Kostik, 7-1
141 – Ethan Hildebrandt (SMS) dec. Chad Mack, 3-1
149 – Kyle LeDuc (C) maj. dec. Codie Lane, 11-3
157 – Casey Field (SMS) dec. Kevin Fynboh, 3-2
165 – Jacob Begin (SMS) maj. dec. Josten Coleman, 15-2
174 – Sebastian Gardner (C) dec. Trent Molacek, 5-3
184 – Chris Harrison (C) dec. Andrew Rodas, 10-5
197 – Nate Schmitz (C) dec. Micah Larson, 13-6
285 – Cody Kasprick (C) dec. Brian Rodas, 5-4
Match Notes:
- Concordia is ranked 18th in the latest DIII poll
- #18 Concordia is now 7-11 in dual meets this season.
- Southwest Minnesota State is now 9-5 in dual meets this season.
- Both teams won five individual matches on the night
- Southwest MN State won two matches by a major decision and three by decision
- Concordia won one match by a major decision and four matches by decision.