Springfield, Ill. – Minnesota State traveled to the highly competitive NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals Saturday. Competing against a pair of top 10 teams, including the nation’s top-ranked team, Nebraska-Kearney, MSU dropped a pair of competitive duals and went 0-2 on the day.
MSU opened the national duals with an 18-13 defeat at the hands of No. 8 Findlay.
Both squads alternated wins until sophomore Cody Quinn (165 lbs) and junior Brendan Eichmann (174 lbs) both recorded decision wins. Findlay rebounded by winning the last three bouts, all by a score of 3-2.
Along with Quinn and Eichmann, freshmen Alphonso Vruno (133 lbs) and Thomas Allen (149 lbs) also recorded wins. Vruno recorded a 14-5 major decision win while Allen was victorious in a 7-1 decision.
MSU opened up a 6-0 lead over No. 1 Nebraska-Kearney before UNK rattled off four consecutive wins, two of which were major decisions.
Junior David Demo (125 lbs) and freshman Alphonso Vruno (133 lbs) both recorded decision wins before the UNK rally.
Juniors Brendan Eichmann (174 lbs) and Nathan Haynes (197 lbs) both recorded wins to help pull MSU within striking distance, as it trailed 17-15 heading into the heavyweight showdown. In the 285 lbs bout, Zach Anderson defeated Corby Running in a hard fought, 8-5 battle.
MSU will host a pair of conference foes as it opens NSIC action, beginning with U-Mary on 1/18 followed by Minot State on 1/19.
Findlay 18, Minnesota State University 13
125: Ben Sergent over David Demo Dec 5-4
133: Alphonso Vruno over Nicholas Goebel Major 14-5
141: Joseph White over Drew Lexvold Dec 9-8
149: Thomas Allen over Jan Steven Ulunksi Dec 7-1
157: Jordan Cowell over Sawyer Hoffman Dec 13-9
165: Cody Quinn over Alex Betts Dec 4-0
174: Brendan Eichmann over Mason True Dec 2-1
184: Adam Walters over Aaron Norgren Dec 3-2
197: Ashton Brown over Nathan Haynes Dec 3-2
285: Andrew Tumlin over Corby Running Dec 3-2
Nebraska-Kearney 20, Minnesota State University 15
125: David Demo over Jake Gentzler Dec 7-4
133: Alphonso Vruno over Ryan Bauer Dec 11-5
141: Andrew Riedy over Drew Lexvold Dec 9-2
149: Raufeon Stots over Thomas Allen Major 19-8
157: Chase White over Sawyer Hoffman Major 11-1
165: Chase Nelson over Cody Quinn Dec 9-7
174: Brendan Eichmann over Brock Smith Pin at 2:13
184: Matt Fiala over Aaron Norgren Dec 5-3
197: Nathan Haynes over Matt Lenagh Dec 7-6
285: Zach Anderson over Corby Running Dec 8-5