MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State wrestling team will defend Taylor Center against St. Cloud State Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., on Senior Day.
Maverick seniors will be recognized prior to the start of the dual for their contributions to the team and for their individual successes as student-athletes and members of the Minnesota State wrestling team.
The Mavericks enter the dual with a 5-3 overall record and hold an Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference mark of 3-2. Minnesota State’s matchup against the Huskies will represent its last home dual of the season at Taylor Center where it holds a 3-2 record. The Mavericks are the 16th rated team in the nation and have four wrestlers ranked in the top-12 in their weight classes. They include #6 Corey Abernathy at 184 lbs., #7 Zach Johnston at 174 lbs., #9 Matthew Blome at 197 lbs. and #11 Kyle Rathman at 149 lbs.
Rathman leads Minnesota State this year with 18 wins and is tied for a team-high four falls along with Louie Sanders, Dylan Herman, and Blome. Sanders holds a 14-6 record this season with a team-high nine wins coming from bonus-point victories. Johnston and Daniel Close each have 11 decision victories in the 2017-18 season.
St. Cloud State holds an unblemished record of 15-0, is 4-0 in the NSIC and ranks #1 in NCAA Division II. The Huskies have nine wrestlers ranked nationally including two top-ranked wrestlers in Larry Bombstad at 157 pounds and James Pleski at 149 pounds. St. Cloud State will wrestle MSU Moorhead prior to facing the Mavericks Saturday. The Huskies are led by Steve Costanzo in his 12th season with the program. Constanzo holds a 245-58-2 record with St. Cloud State and led the team to two national titles in 2015 and 2016.
The Mavericks will conclude their NSIC schedule wrestling in duals away to Northern State, Feb. 8, and Southwest Minnesota State, Feb. 9.
For live video of Saturday’s dual, Click HERE.