Johnnies win five matches in loss to Division II Mary
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John’s wrestling ended its dual schedule with a 25-16 loss to Division II Mary’s (N.D.) on Friday, Feb. 10, in Sexton Arena.
Each team won five bouts, though SJU (6-5 dual record) forfeited the match at 133 pounds. Mary (7-7 dual record) gained a 12-0 lead to start the dual thanks to a pin and the aforementioned forfeit before both teams split major decisions. Freshman Andrew Smith (Amery, Wis.) registered the bonus-point win at 141 pounds, 16-6.
Freshman Jerod Novak (Aitkin, Minn.) improved to 17-12 with a thrilling 5-4 win at 157 pounds thanks to a takedown in the closing seconds of the match.
SJU answered a Marauder pin at 165 pounds with three straight wins. Senior Teddy Erickson (Annandale, Minn.) moved his season record to 14-10 with an 11-5 win at 174 pounds, while junior Mike Wagner (Shakopee, Minn.) collected a 4-2 victory at 184. Sophomore Luke Dodd (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) earned his 15th win of the season (15-8 record) with a 6-0 shutout at 197 pounds.
Needing a pin to tie, senior Colin Fisher (Eagan, Minn.) suffered a tough 2-1 loss at heavyweight to end the dual.
The Johnnies will take two weeks off from competition in preparation for the 2017 NCAA West Regional, hosted by Concordia, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, in Moorhead. The top three wrestlers in each weight class advance to the NCAA Division III Championships March 10-11 in La Crosse, Wis.
Mary 25, Saint John’s 16
125: Josh Jensen (MAR) pinned Anthony Hennen, 1:06 [0-6]
133: Tate Barnhardt (MAR) won by forfeit [0-12]
141: Andrew Smith (SJU) major dec. Noah Huff, 16-6 [4-12]
149: Hunter Eckert (MAR) major dec. Branden Schorr, 13-3 [4-16]
157: Jerod Novak (SJU) dec. Donnie Leuer, 5-4 [7-16]
165: Paul Michaelson (MAR) pinned Jack Barsody, 5:17 [7-22]
174: Teddy Erickson (SJU) dec. Dane Fischer, 11-5 [10-22]
184: Mike Wagner (SJU) dec. Jonathan Pelach, 4-2 [13-22]
197: Luke Dodd (SJU) dec. Austin Eichmann, 6-0 [16-22]
285: Dominic Tudor (MAR) dec. Colin Fisher, 2-1 [16-25]