#1 SCSU completes perfect season with win at MSU
The #1 St. Cloud State University wrestling team completed its perfect dual match season on Feb. 16 with a big 31-6 win at Minnesota State University in Mankato. The victory moved SCSU’s record to 21-0, 7-0 NSIC on the season.
The match was SCSU’s final dual match of the 2011-12 campaign and it also marks the first time in team history (since 1949-50) that the Huskies have finished with a perfect dual match season record.
The victory also helped the Huskies claim the 2012 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title, which marks the first time since 1977-78 that the Huskies have won a conference title.
SCSU’s evening in Mankato opened with a 17-3 major decision victory by #4 Andy Pokorny over MSU’s Brian Reisenauer. SCSU then stretched its lead to 10-0 with a pinfall victory at 4:00 of the third period by Jay Hildreth over MSU’s Drew Lexvold at 141-pounds.
At 149-pounds, SCSU’s Jacob D. Horn picked up a takedown in the extra session to score an 8-6 overtime win over MSU’s Jesse Westphal to help SCSU increase its total to 13-0.
The Mavericks broke the shutout at 157-pounds as Tel Todd posted a 2-1 win over SCSU’s Josh Howk. SCSU got right back on track at 165-pounds with an 18-4 major decision win by #1 Tad Merritt over MSU’s Cody Quinn. The victory pushed the Husky lead to 17-3.
At 174-pounds, SCSU’s #3 Shamus O’Grady improved to 9-0 on the season with a 5-2 win over MSU’s Brendan Eichmann to give SCSU a 20-3 lead. At 184-pounds, SCSU’s #3 Derek Skala chalked up a 10-4 win over MSU’s Brandon Peterson.
The wins kept rolling in for the Huskies at 197-pounds with a 14-4 major decision by #3 Lucas Munkelwtiz over MSU’s Derek Hahn. The victory provided SCSU with a 27-3 edge in the contest. At 285-pounds #1 Jake Kahnke iced the decision with a 10-0 major decision win over Nate Haynes of MSU.
The evening was completed with a 12-8 victory by MSU’s David Demo over SCSU’s Dylan Wright at 125-pounds, which completed the scoring at 31-6 in favor of SCSU.
The Huskies will enjoy a few days off before hosting the 2012 NCAA Division II Super 3 Regional on Sunday, Feb. 26. The tournament will start at 10 a.m. in SCSU’s Halenbeck Hall. For complete ticket information, please call 1-877-SCSUTIX or 320-308-2137.
MSU will travel to Marshall, Minn. on Saturday to wrestle Southwest Minnesota State University before competing in regionals in St. Cloud on Sunday, February 26.
St. Cloud State 31 Minnesota State 6
125 David Demo (M) dec. Dylan Wright (S) 12-8
133 Andrew Pokorny (S) maj. dec. Brian Reisenauer (M) 17-3
141 Jay Hildreth (S) pinned Drew Lexvold (M) 3:00
149 Jacob D. Horn (S) dec. OT Jesse Westphal (M) 8-6
157 Tel Todd (M) dec. Josh Howk (S) 2-1
165 Tad Merritt (S) maj. dec. Cody Quinn (M) 18-4
174 Shamus O`Grady (S) dec. Brendan Eichmann (M) 5-2
184 Derek Skala (S) dec. Brandon Pederson (M) 10-4
197 Lucas Munkelwitz (S) maj. dec. Derek Hahn (M) 13-3
285 Jake Kahnke (S) maj. dec. Nathan Haynes (M) 10-0