Dragon wrestling will open up their 2022-23 regular season with a pair of competitions in Jamestown, N.D. this weekend. MSUM will dual the University of Jamestown on Friday night at 7 p.m. and the Dragons will partake in the annual Jimmie Open the following morning.
MSUM is led by 197-pounder Samuel Grove, who was named to the NSIC’s ‘Wrestlers to Watch’ list this preseason. Grove competed at heavyweight a year ago and tallied a 10-13 season (2-5 NSIC).
Senior Anthony Castro held a 4-3 ledger at 174 pounds a year ago and will be relied upon at either 165 or 174 pounds. Senior Andre Baguma, who competed unattached last season (5-2 record) will help hold down the heavyweight spot for the Dragons along with Airin Spell. Junior Hunter Hayes will wrestle at 133 pounds after competing at 141 pounds a year ago.
The Dragons were picked tenth in the initial NSIC preseason poll following an 0-9 dual season in 2021-22.
Kris Nelson begins his 14th season at the helm of Dragon wrestling in 2022-23.
About Jamestown
The Jimmies are led by second-year head coach Jim Zalesky. A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Zalesky has had coaching stints at Iowa and Oregon State. This included three NCAA Division I titles at Iowa and seven Pac-12 titles at Oregon State. As a wrestler at Iowa, Zalesky was a three-time NCAA champion with a 131-7 overall record including an Iowa school record 89 consecutive wins.
Sophomore Park Beehler is the top returner for Jamestown at 165 pounds. Beehler was named to a GPAC All-Conference Honorable Mention after a 20-7 season.
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