#1 St. Cloud State wrestling clinches a share of 8th consecutive NSIC championship
The dynasty continues! The #1 St. Cloud State University wrestling team (19-0, 7-0 NSIC) clinched a share of its eighth consecutive NSIC championship with a 30-9 victory over #10 Minnesota State University (8-2, 6-1 NSIC) on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud, Minn.
The victory gave the Huskies ownership of at least a share of the conference title, which they can win outright with a victory at Augustana in the final NSIC dual of the season for SCSU on Thursday, Feb. 14 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Huskies have now won 47 consecutive dual matches dating back to Jan. 14, 2017. The Huskies have also won 60 consecutive NSIC dual matches dating back to an 18-13 loss to Augustana on Jan. 27, 2011. Since that loss, SCSU has won seven consecutive NSIC titles in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
SCSU gained a quick lead in the match vs. MSU with a pin by #1 Vince Dietz at 197-pounds. He pinned MSU’s Dylan Butts at 4:16 to give the Huskies a 6-0 lead. At 285-pounds, SCSU added more bonus points with a tech fall win by #11 Zach Muller over MSU’s Max Villnow at 3:11.
At 125-pounds, #2 Brett Velasquez posted a 4-0 decision over MSU’s Andrew McFall to give SCSU a 14-0 lead in the bout.
At 133-pounds, #7 George Farmah of MSU posted a 1-0 decision over #11 Garrett Vos before SCSU’s Travis Swanson charted a 10-2 win at 141-pounds to push SCSU’s lead to 18-3.
In a key battle between #2 ranked James Pleski of SCSU and #3 ranked Kyle Rathman of MSU, the Huskies gained the decision with a thrilling 3-2 decision win by Pleski.
At 157-pounds, #6 Jake Barzowski added a 5-1 victory before MSU got points with a medical forfeit by the Huskies at 165. In another bout between two top ranked DII grapplers, #2 Kolton Eischens came through with a 9-2 decision over #4 Zach Johnston of MSU. The day was capped at 184-pounds with a 6-5 victory by #4 Chance Helmick over MSU’s Trevor Turriff.
SCSU seniors saluted at the match today included: Brett Velasquez, Travis Swanson, Chance Helmick, Lawrence Phillips, Ryan Rodorgio, Taner Trembley and manager Katelyn Walsh.
Next action for Minnesota State is tomorrow with a road dual at MSU-Moorhead.
#1 St. Cloud State 30 #10 Minnesota State 9
197: #1 Vince Dietz (SCS) over Dylan Butts (MSM) (Fall 4:16)
285: #11 Zachary Muller (SCS) over Max Villnow (MSM) (TF 15-0 3:11)
125: #2 Brett Velasquez (SCS) over Andrew McFall (MSM) (Dec 4-0)
133: #7 George Farmah (MSM) over #11 Garrett Vos (SCS) (Dec 1-0)
141: Travis Swanson (SCS) over Louie Sanders (MSM) (MD 10-2)
149: #2 James Pleski (SCS) over #3 Kyle Rathman (MSM) (Dec 3-2)
157: #6 Jake Barzowski (SCS) over Daniel Close (MSM) (Dec 5-1)
165: Logan Saltou (MSM) over (SCS) (M. For.)
174: #2 Kolton Eischens (SCS) over #4 Zach Johnston (MSM) (Dec 9-2)
184: #4 Chance Helmick (SCS) over Trevor Turriff (MSM) (Dec 6-5)
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