Mavericks Top Mustangs to Stay Perfect In Conference Duals
MANKATO, Minn- Minnesota State (8-3, 5-0 NSIC) defeated the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs by a score of 24-12 at Taylor Center Thursday night. The Mavericks were in control of the match, winning seven out of ten weight classes during the conference dual.
Minnesota State won the first five matches to give the Mavericks a 16-0 lead halfway through the dual. Andrew McFall (R-Fr., 125 lbs.) started the night with a 12-1 major decision for the Mavericks. McFall showed great skill scoring from multiple dangerous positions and adding a riding-time point at the end of the match. Paul Selman (So., 133 lbs.) was next up and gained an 11-6 decision for Minnesota State that saw Selman score in every period. Louie Sanders (R-Fr. 141 lbs.) took his match into the second period without either wrestler scoring. Sanders scored an escape and a takedown in the second period on his way to a 6-1 decision.
The Mustangs continued to challenge the Mavericks wrestlers. Despite holding early leads at the 165, 197, and 285-pound weight classes, Minnesota State could not hold out to claim victories in those match-ups.
Adam Cooling (Sr., 174 lbs.) was clinical during his 19-3 technical fall victory. Cooling led in his match 12-3 after the end of the first period and would gain the technical fall at the 3:52 mark of the match. With the victory Cooling now has gained 26 wins this season. Corey Abernathy (Jr., 184 lbs.) was trailing 6-0 after the first three minutes of his match against Cole Hennen. Abernathy was dominant in the top position in the second period, eliminating his opponent’s riding-time and scoring a four-point near fall. Down 6-4, Abernathy scored a quick reversal in the third period to tie the match and capped the victory with a point from riding-time to win with an 8-6 decision.
With the 24-12 victory over Southwest Minnesota State the Mavericks improved to 8-3 on the season, with a conference record of 5-0. The Mavericks are still undefeated at Taylor Center and will travel to St. Cloud State for a dual on Saturday with a five-match win streak.
The Mustangs travel to face Northern State, which is still searching for its first NSIC win, on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
MSU-Mankato 24 Southwest Minnesota State 12
125: Andrew McFall (MSM) over Brock Buysse (SMS) (MD 12-1)
133: Paul Selman (MSM) over Jordan Biehn (SMS) (Dec 11-4)
141: Louie Sanders (MSM) over Zachary Beaumaster (SMS) (Dec 6-1)
149: Daniel Close (MSM) over Cortez Arredondo (SMS) (Dec 3-2)
157: Dylan Herman (MSM) over Jake Slocun (SMS) (Dec 11-6)
165: Kegen Fingalsen (SMS) over Zach Johnston (MSM) (Dec 9-6)
174: Adam Cooling (MSM) over Cody Heitman (SMS) (TF 19-3 3:55)
184: Corey Abernathy (MSM) over Cole Hennen (SMS) (Dec 8-6)
197: Jackson Ryan (SMS) over Matt Blome (MSM) (Dec 5-4)
285: Quinn Bullard (SMS) over Chris Zimmer (MSM) (Fall 3:40)