MOORHEAD, Minn. — After a successful 3-1 trip to Arizona, the Minnesota State University Moorhead wrestling team returns home to open its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference season on Saturday against Northern State. The dual begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Alex Nemzek Hall in Moorhead, Minn.
MSUM (5-2 duals) won its first three matches at the Grand Canyon Duals, beating California Baptist (27-18), Colorado School of Mines (24-16) and Simon Fraser (29-19) before falling to No. 6 Grand Canyon (22-19) in the final match of the day.
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Northern State is 3-0 in duals so far this season.
Saturday’s dual will be the NSIC opener for both teams.
About MSUM
The Dragons went 3-1 at the Grand Canyon Duals, led by 4-0 days from sophomore Philippe Walker (133 pounds) and redshirt freshman Jesse Puncochar (174). Seniors Jacob Bennett and Kerron Williams and juniors Angel Vega and Casey Williams each went 3-1 on the day for MSUM.
Vega (141 pounds) leads the Dragons with a 17-7 mark, while Casey Williams is at 12-4 and Walker 12-7. Puncochar is 10-3 while Matt Lewellen is 10-6 and Kerron Williams is 8-3.
Kris Nelson is in his fourth season as MSUM’s head coach with a record of 20-30 at the school.
About Northern State
Northern State is 3-0 in duals. The Wolves beat Chadron State, 21-20, in their last dual meet action on Dec. 8, 2012 in Aberdeen, S.D. Senior Matt Meuleners, the No. 1-ranked heavyweight in Division II, is 20-3 on the season for Northern, while senior Chad Gibson is 16-5 at 184 pounds. Junior Blake Lundgren is 14-7 at 165 pounds for the Wolves.
Pat Timm is in his 10th season as Northern’s head coach.