INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Minnesota State University Moorhead junior wrestler Cole Jones advanced to Day 2 of the Midwest Classic, which is being held in Indianapolis, Ind.
The Dragons wrestled shorthanded on Saturday because of non-Covid illness.
Jones went 2-1 at 133 pounds. He opened with a 7-0 win over American International’s Aaron Morocho, and then pinned Ben Fielding of Belmont Abby College – a national qualifier – in 4:19. Jones lost a tough match to Drury’s Brandon Borlinghaus 10-8 but remains alive to place at the 42-team tournament.
Jones will face Hunter Ross of Coker College in the consolation bracket on Sunday.
“Cole wrestled hard all day and we look for him to continue wrestling hard tomorrow which will put him in position to place,” MSUM head coach Kris Nelson said.
Freshman Declan Malone had a solid day at 149, going 2-2. He lost in the first round but came back to beat Lindenwood’s Jack Tangen, 12-10 in overtime, and then followed with a 7-4 win over McKendree’s Noah Villerreal. He was pinned by Jason Hanenberg of Western Colorado to end his tournament.
“Declan Malone had a good day and had two hard-fought wins,” Nelson said.
Clayson Mele went 1-2 at 125 for MSUM.
The final day is set for Sunday.
Brackets/Results on TrackWrestling.com
MSUM wrestlers
125-Clayson Mele (1-2)
–lost to Nicholas Baggett (UNCP) by tech fall, 20-2
–dec. Zachary Collins (UF), 8-1
–pinned by Jordan Rodriguez (LEC), 4:21
133-Cole Jones (2-1)
–dec. Aaron Morocho (AIC), 7-0
–pinned Ben Fielding (BAC), 4:19
–lost to Brandon Borlinghaus (DU), 10-8
141-Hunter Hayes (0-2)
–lost to Nate Deboe (LEC), 12-3
–pinned by Joel Cawoski (SHU), 1:36
149-Declan Malone (2-2)
–pinned by Jacob Ealy (WP), 2:48
–dec. Jack Tangen (LU), 12-10, OT
–dec. Noah Villereal (MCK), 7-4
–pinned by Jason Hanenberg (WCU), 0:42
184-Gage Roaldson (0-2)
–lost to Wyatt Lidberg (UMary), 9-2
–lost to Kump (BAC), 12-9
197-Steven Abbott (0-2)
–pinned by Rodsean Graham, 1:59
–lost by medical forfeit to Charette (UF)
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