MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling opens its dual meet season at home, hosting Northern State on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and MSU Moorhead on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m.
MUSTANGS IN THE RANKINGS: The Mustangs have one wrestler in the NWCA rankings, with Caden Steffen ranking second in the 184-pound division. Steffen is 8-1 on the season, with his lone loss coming to Billy Higgins, the top-ranked 184-pounder. Steffen was named the NSIC wrestler of the week earlier this season after claiming first place at the Dakota Wesleyan Open. SMSU has also been recognized for its team success, as they were ranked No. 23 in the NWCA team rankings.
LAST TIME OUT: The Mustangs closed their open schedule with nine place winners and a first-place finisher at the Dragon Open in Moorhead, Minn., hosted by MSU Moorhead … Hunter Pfantz led the Mustangs, picking up four wins against NSIC opponents. Pfantz started his day defeating Robby Horsman (St. Cloud State) by an 8-5 decision, then he picked up victories against a pair of MSU Moorhead wrestlers, Thomas Carillo and Hunter Hayes, by 18-6 and 19-7 major decisions, respectively, in the finals Pfantz won by 9-4 decision against Minot State’s Logen Fischer to place first at 133 … Elijah Sterner finished second at 174, picking up a victory over Hayden LeMonds (St. Johns) by a 6-5 decision, before falling to Cannon Potts (Minot State) in the finals … Jace Paplow placed third at 174, losing by fall to Potts before picking up victories against teammates Kevin Bostwick and Nye Becker … Luke Peterson placed third at 149, Peterson opened with a decision loss before rallying back with back-to-back major decision wins.
SMSU LEADERS:
Luke Peterson (9-4)
Caden Steffen (8-1)
Sean Howk (7-3)
Jacob Dykes (6-2)
Lucas Hodges (5-4)
Hunter Pfantz (5-4)
NORTHERN STATE NOTES: The Wolves (1-2 overall, 0-1 NSIC) come into the weekend ranked No. 20 in the NWCA poll … NSU has two wrestlers ranked in the NWCA rankings, with Cole Huss (197) ranking 3rd and Wyatt Turnquist (149) ranking 7th …
NSU SERIES HISTORY: SMSU leads the all-time series 29-12-3 in a series that dates back to 1979. NSU has won three of the past four meetings, including a 24-19 victory in their last meeting on Dec. 10, 2021.
MSU MOORHEAD NOTES: The Dragons (1-1 overall, 0-0 NSIC) comes in after hosting the Dragon Open on Saturday … MSUM had Wayne Mellon place first in the 174-pound white division at the Dragon Open as well as having a dozen other place winners at the open.
MSUM SERIES HISTORY: SMSU trails the all-time series 24-27-1 in a series that dates back to 1983. SMSU has won the last four meetings, including a 32-8 victory in their last meeting on Jan. 20, 2022.
FRIDAY
SMSU Probable Lineup:
125 – Ben Emrich
133 – Hunter Pfantz
141 – Hayden Straumann
149 – Luke Peterson
157 – Sean Howk
165 – Lucas Hodges
174 – Elijah Sterner or Jace Paplow
184 – Caden Steffen
197 – Carter Marx
285 – Jacob Dykes
Northern State Probable Lineup:
125- Landen Fischer
133- Teagan Block
141- Robert Coyle
149- Wyatt Turnquist
157- Isaac Hunsley
165- Chase Bloomquist
174- Kelby Hawkins
184- Tyson Lien
197- Cole Huss
285- George Bolling
Extra matches
157 – Tallin Johnson (SMSU) vs. TBD
184 – TBD
285 – German Fitzgerald (SMSU) vs. TBD
SATURDAY
SMSU Probable Lineup:
125 – Ben Emrich
133 – Hunter Pfantz
141 – Hayden Straumann
149 – Luke Peterson
157 – Sean Howk
165 – Lucas Hodges
174 – Elijah Sterner or Jace Paplow
184 – Caden Steffen
197 – Carter Marx
285 – Jacob Dykes
MSUM Lineup
125 – Clayson Mele
133 – Thomas Carrillo
141 – Hunter Hayes or Parker Benz
149 – Gunnar Mogen or Jacob Davis
157 – Peyton Ringling or Cody Wienen
165 – Jonas Anez or Jacob Reinardy
174 – Anthony Castro
184 – Caleb Vacura or Brett Graham
197 – Samuel Grove
285 – Andre Baguma or Airin Spell
Extra Matches
149- Tyler Soltau (SMSU) vs non-starter from above
157 – Tallin Johnson (SMSU) vs Non-starter from above
184 – Nye Becker (SMSU) vs Non-Starter from above
285 – German Fitzgerald (SMSU) vs. Non-Starter from above
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