SMSU drops final dual of regular season
MARSHALL, Minn. — The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team fought hard, but dropped its final match of the regular season 18-16 to Concordia-Moorhead (DIII) on Thursday night.
Concordia started the dual with five straight decisions to lead 15-0 at the half.
SMSU started the comeback with an 8-2 decision from Kegen Finalsen at 165 pounds, and Kyle Begin picked up a major decision at 174 pounds to give SMSU seven points. Brody Goens added three points at 184 pounds from an 8-4 decision to trail 15-10 with two bouts left.
CC scored its final points of the dual from a 7-4 decision at 197 to secure the victory.
Cole Wilson finished the match with a forfeit at heavyweight to pick up a final six points.
It was the final match for senior wrestlers: Cole Wilson and Brody Goens
Concordia now heads to the postseason where they will compete at the NCAA Regional and National meets. The Cobbers will look to continue their success when they head to Minneapolis to square off at the West Regional Meet at Augsburg on Saturday, Feb. 27. Last year the Cobbers had nine athletes qualify for the national meet from the regional.
SMSU finished the regular season 8-11 overall and 4-4 in the NSIC. The Mustangs will compete at the NCAA Super Regional next weekend in Sioux Falls, S.D. Watch smsumustangs.com for tournament information.
No. 8 Concordia-Moorhead 18, Southwest Minnesota State 16
125 | No. 3 Jakob Stageberg (CC) won by decision over Taylor Curtis (SMSU), 8-1
133 | No. 7 Gabe Foltz (CC) won by decision over Antonio Meikel (SMSU), 3-0
141 | Blane Tschida (CC) won by decision over Cortez Arredondo (SMSU), 5-2
149 | Ben Baumgartner (CC) won by decision over Zach Beaumaster (SMSU), 9-3
157 | Ben Cousins (CC) won by decision over Justin Haneke (SMSU) 5-1
165 | Kegen Fingalsen (SMSU) won by decision over Nick Gravdahl (CC), 8-2
174 | Kyle Begin (SMSU) won by major decision over Jake Johnson (CC), 9-0
184 | Brody Goens (SMSU) won by decision over Rick Briggs (CC), 8-4
197 | Jacob Briggs (CC) won by decision over Ashton Bartlett (SMSU), 8-4
285 | No. 3 Cole Wilson (SMSU) won by forfeit, 6-0