#16 Mavericks Fall to #6 Upper Iowa
Fayette, Iowa. – The Minnesota State wrestling team fell 18-12 to the Peacocks Friday evening at the Dorman Gymnasium in Iowa.
With the loss, the Mavericks now hold an overall record of 5-2 and are 3-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Upper Iowa becomes 7-3 and advances to 3-1 in the NSIC.
Minnesota State held the lead three times in their Matchup against #6 rated Upper Iowa but could not hold off a late surge by the Peacock wrestlers.
Louie Sanders gave the Mavericks the advantage at 141 pounds with an 8-2 decision over Hunter Slifka, making the team score 6-3. Sanders cut Slifka loose late in the match, looking for a takedown and bonus points, but could not corral the Peacock wrestler in the remaining time.
Minnesota State dropped the next two matches by decisions to trail Upper Iowa 9-6 halfway through the dual. Kyle Rathman and Damian Penichet took their match into an extra period, finishing 1-1 after seven minutes on the mat. Rathman relinquished the first takedown of the match in sudden victory to drop the decision. Daniel Close wrestled #7 Brock Benitz tough at 157 pounds and held the ranked wrestler to a 7-2 decision.
Seth Elwood drew the Mavericks level after winning his match at 165 pounds. Elwood won his tenth match of the season with a 3-0 victory while amassing over three minutes of ride time. Zach Johnston followed with a decision victory of his own. Johnston, ranked seventh in the nation, defeated #8 Jordan Gundrum by a score of 9-2.
Minnesota State next dropped a 6-0 decision at 184 pounds while a last second takedown won the 197-pound match by a score of 3-2 for Upper Iowa. Chris Zimmer had a chance to level the team score in the final match of the night, but saw his late effort defended by #2 Logan Hopp.
The Mavericks will next wrestle Augustana on Jan. 25th in Mankato, Minn.
#6 Upper Iowa 18, #16 Minnesota State 12
125: Andrew McFall (MSU) Dec. over #6 Maleek Williams (UIU) 8-1 | MSU 3 – UIU 0
133: #6 Josh Walker (UIU) Dec. over George Farmah (MSU) 4-0 | MSU 3 – UIU 3
141: Louie Sanders (MSU) Dec. over Hunter Slifka (UIU) 8-2 | MSU 6 – UIU 3
149: Damian Penichet (UIU) Dec. over #11 Kyle Rathman (MSU) SV. 3-1 | MSU 6 – UIU 6
157: #7 Brock Benitz (UIU) Dec. over Daniel Close (MSU) 7-2 | UIU 9 – MSU 6
165: Seth Elwood (MSU) Dec. over Cody Nelson (UIU) 3-0 | MSU 9 – IUI 9
174: #7 Zach Johnston (MSU) Dec. over #8 Jordan Gundrum (UIU) 9-2 | MSU 12 – UIU 9
184: Dalton Hahn (UIU) Dec. over #6 Corey Abernathy (MSU) 6-0 | MSU 12 – UIU 12
197: Nick Baumler (UIU) Dec. over #9 Matthew Blome (MSU) 3-2 | UIU 15 – MSU 12
285: #2 Logan Hopp (UIU) Dec. over Chris Zimmer (MSU) 5-3 | UIU 18 – MSU 12