MARSHALL, Minn.- The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team returns to dual action this weekend in Kearney, Neb., as the Mustangs travel to compete in 5th Annual Midwest Duals. SMSU will face Colorado State-Pueblo, Lindenwood (Mo.), Central Oklahoma, and Central Missouri this Saturday in the Health & Sports Center and Cushing Coliseum on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
THE SCHEDULE (all times central):
SMSU vs. Colorado State-Pueblo (2-2), 9 a.m.
SMSU vs. Lindenwood (Mo.) (2-1), 10:30 a.m.
SMSU vs. Central Oklahoma (8-0), 12 p.m.
SMSU vs. Central Missouri (4-1), 1:30 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY (Colorado State-Pueblo):
Southwest Minnesota State is 4-0 all-time versus CSU-Pueblo. SMSU won the last meeting in 27-18 back in the 2014-15 season.
SERIES HISTORY (Lindenwood (Mo.):
Lindenwood has won both of the previous matchups between the two schools holding the 2-0 series lead. Lindenwood last won 27-15 back in the 2001-02 season.
SERIES HISTORY (Central Oklahoma):
SMSU and Central Oklahoma will meet for the first time on Saturday.
SERIES HISTORY (Central Missouri):
UCM holds a 9-1 lead in the all-time series. Southwest Minnesota State’s only victory came in the last meeting as SMSU defeated Central Missouri 32-15 during the 2014-15 season.
Midwest Duals Results on TrackWrestling.com
SMSU HEAD COACH:
Jesse Nelson is in his 10th season as head coach at SMSU in 2016-17. Nelson was named the fourth coach in the program history on Aug. 22, 2007. Nelson, the 2013-14 NSIC Coach of the Year, has a dual record of 57-67-1, including 19-38 in conference matches. During his tenure, Nelson has groomed 19 national qualifiers—11 in the last three seasons alone—seven All-NSIC wrestlers, including three two-time NCAA qualifiers and three three-time NCAA qualifiers.
SEASON LEADERS:
Five Mustangs have racked up at least 10 wins so far this season… Cole Hennen is 11-8 this year at 197… Cortez Arredondo is 13-9 at 149… Kegen Fingalsen is 12-11 at 174… Griffin Osing has posted a 12-8 mark at 184 for the Mustangs… Jackson Ryan is 10-7 at 285.
LAST TIME OUT:
The Mustangs were in action last weekend competing in the Tracy Borah Duals in Gunnison, Colo. SMSU went 1-3 on the day losing to Colorado Mesa, Western State Colorado University, and California Baptist before picking up a 27-15 win over New Mexico Highlands.
PRESEASON NSIC POLL
Southwest Minnesota State was picked to finish tied for seventh in the NSIC preseason poll.
UP NEXT
Southwest Minnesota State will host two Northern Sun opponents next weekend as they face Upper Iowa on Friday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m., followed by a meeting with Augustana on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 3 p.m.