NDSU Drops California Baptist With Seven Bonus Point Victories In Season Opening Rout 43-3
FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State wrestling opened up the 2021-22 season on Saturday with a dominating 43-3 victory that included three pins and seven bonus-point victories over California Baptist in non-conference action at the Scheels Center in the Sanford Health Athletic Complex.
Jaden Van Maanen, Owen Pentz, and Colby Evans picked up wins with pins to lead the way for North Dakota State (1-0), who improved on last season’s 30-6 victory over California Baptist (0-1), which was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
Dylan Droegemueller started off the afternoon with a convincing victory at 141 by tech fall in the third period after securing a takedown and four near falls to lead an 18-2 decision over CBU’s Christian Nunez.
Van Maanen kept the momentum rolling at 149, as he secured a reversal on Chaz Hallmark before winning the match with a pin 18 seconds into the third period.
No. 12 Jared Franek helped secure a sweep of the first half of the results with a major decision victory at 157, using a pair of four-point near falls in the first period to open up an advantage that finished at 13-2 over AJ Raya.
No. 6 Luke Weber would claim six points for the Bison at 165. Weber had a pair of takedowns and a four-point near fall on Frank Almaguer before Almaguer was forced to retire due to injury with 20 seconds remaining in the first period.
Austin Brenner would close out the first half of matches with a major decision victory over Louis Rojas at 174. Brenner had three takedowns and a pair of four-point near falls to lead to a 17-3 victory. The Bison led the Lancers 25-0 headed into halftime.
After a 7-4 loss by Michael Nelson at 184 to begin the second half, No. 16 Pentz grabbed the momentum back for the Bison with the fastest pin of his collegiate career, as he broke the 2:09 mark set last season by pinning Arick Lopez just 1:38 into the 197 match. The pin also secured the win in the team result for the Bison, who went up 31-3.
No. 23 Brandon Metz, fresh off an appearance for Team USA in Serbia earlier this week at the U23 world championships, picked up a takedown in period two and a reversal to begin period three in a 5-1 victory in the heavyweight division over Chris Island.
Freshman Colby Evans then began his collegiate career with a thrilling victory in overtime as he pinned Devin Garcia at 6:36 to claim victory at 125.
Kellen March closed out the dual with an 8-5 decision over Hunter Leake at 133. March secured a pair of takedowns and a two-point near fall in the first period before securing an escape point and riding time in the final frame.
The Bison will be back in action on Thursday, as North Dakota State opens up Big 12 play by welcoming in No. 3 Missouri to the Scheels Center. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start and will be televised on WDAY XTRA. The Bison will also host the Bison Open next Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Scheels Center.
Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021
Scheels Center | Fargo, N.D.
North Dakota State 43, California Baptist 3
141 – Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU) tech fall Christian Nunez (CBU), 18-2 (6:33)
149 – Jaden Van Maanen (NDSU) pinned Chaz Hallmark (CBU) (5:18)
157 – #12 Jared Franek (NDSU) major dec. AJ Raya (CBU), 13-2
165 – #6 Luke Weber (NDSU) over Frank Almaguer (CBU) (Inj. 2:40)
174 – Austin Brenner (NDSU) major dec. Louis Rojas (CBU), 17-3
184 – Caden Gerlach (CBU) dec. Michael Nelson (NDSU), 7-4
197 – #16 Owen Pentz (NDSU) pinned Arick Lopez (CBU) (1:38)
285 – #23 Brandon Metz (NDSU) dec. Chris Island (CBU), 5-1
125 – Colby Evens (NDSU) pinned Devin Garcia (CBU) (6:36)
133 – Kellyn March (NDSU) dec. Hunter Leake (CBU), 8-5
Dual started at 141 pounds
Attendance: 350
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