Minnesota State Downs #24 Southwest Minnesota State 26-18
Mankato, Minn. – The Mavericks went to work this afternoon in Bresnan Arena in their second conference dual against a ranked opponent, getting a 26-18 win over #24 Southwest Minnesota State.
With the win, MSU wrestling head coach Jim Makovsky also earned his 300th career win at Minnesota State, making him the all-time most-winningest coach in MSU wrestling history, passing the legendary former head coach Rummy Macias.
Freshman Kole Marko, at 165 lbs., started the afternoon off strong for MSU against SMSU’s Lucas Hodges. After a slow first period, Marko gained a substantial lead after a takedown and a five-point nearfall in the second period. Marko ended the match with an 11-1 major decision, putting the Mavericks on the board. Following in Marko’s footsteps was junior Mike Smith, of MSU, at 174 lbs., up against Elijah Sterner, of SMSU. Smith had a quick takedown at four seconds into the first period, followed by another takedown and two nearfalls. Winning by a 13-1 major decision, Smith brought the MSU team total to 8-0.
At 184 lbs., MSU sophomore Nic Leo faced SMSU junior #2 Caden Steffen. Steffen had two takedowns in the match, and finished with the win over Leo by a 6-1 decision, finally putting SMSU on the board at 8-3. Tommy Johnson, of MSU, wrestled at 197 lbs. against Carter Marx of SMSU. After a scoreless first period and a stalling call in the second, Johnson found an escape but was taken down and pinned in the third round at 5:29, giving SMSU the team lead at 9-8. Next up at 285 lbs. was MSU senior Darrell Mason and SMSU’s Jacob Dykes. Dykes got a takedown in the first period, helping give him a 3-1 decision win in the end, putting SMSU up 12-8 in the team score.
Dropping back down to the lower weights, SMSU’s Ben Emrich won by forfeit at 125 lbs., moving the team score to 18-8 for SMSU. Next, at 133 lbs., MSU sophomore Isaiah Mlsna wrestled against Hunter Pfantz of SMSU. Mlsna capitalized in the first period with two takedowns, an escape and a four-point nearfall to put him up 9-2 at the end of the first. Mlsna went on to win the match by a 9-6 decision, bringing the team score to 18-11 with SMSU still on top.
Sophomore Max Schwabe of MSU received a forfeit at 141 lbs., narrowing the team score gap to 18-17 SMSU. MSU’s Caleb Meunier came in hot at 149 lbs. against SMSU’s Tyler Soltau. After a quick takedown, Meunier got the pin at 1:14, boosting MSU to the top in the team score to 23-18. To finish the dual, sophomore Drake Hayward of MSU had a hard-fought match at 157 lbs. with Sean Howk of SMSU. A scoreless first period led to Hayward receiving two points in the second period from an escape and a stalling call on SMSU. Hayward also got an escape in the third, giving him the 3-2 decision win and finalizing the team score at 26-18 MSU.
To finish the night, MSU’s Shane Gibson, at 184 lbs., wrestled an exhibition match against SMSU’s Kevin Bostwick. Gibson claimed the win with a 9-5 decision.
The Minnesota State wrestling team is back on the mat on January 21st against St. Cloud State at 2:00 p.m. in St. Cloud, Minn.
Jacob Dykes was the headline for the Mustangs, defeating the reigning Division-II national champion at 285, Darrell Mason. Dykes earned a 3-1 decision victory and handed Mason his first career D-II loss.
SMSU won three bouts and earned bonus points in one victory, falling to 1-2 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC on the season.
“The team went out and fought today.” Said second-year head coach Chayse Jackson. “Although it wasn’t our best match, the guys showed heart and effort. Dykes had a phenomenal performance against the #1 wrestler in the country and put us in position to win. It’s time to go back to the grindstone, improve, prepare, and get after it next week on the road.”
The Mustangs will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 21, when they travel to Kenosha, Wis. To take on Parkside and to Fayette, Iowa on Sunday, Jan. 22, to take on Upper Iowa. Parkside and Upper Iowa are currently tied at No. 9 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association poll.
Minnesota State 26, Southwest Minnesota State 18
165: Kole Marko (MSU) wins via 11-1 major decision vs. Lucas Hodges (SMSU) | 4-0 MSU
174: Mike Smith (MSU) wins via 13-1 major decision vs. Elijah Sterner (SMSU) | 8-0 MSU
184: Caden Steffen (SMSU) wins via 6-1 decision vs. Nic Leo (MSU) | 8-3 MSU
197: Carter Marx(SMSU) wins via fall at 5:29 vs. Tommy Johnson (MSU) | 9-8 SMSU
285: Jacob Dykes (SMSU) wins via 3-1 decision vs. Darrell Mason (MSU) | 12-8 SMSU
125: Ben Emrich (SMSU) wins via forfeit | 18-8 SMSU
133: Isaiah Mlsna (MSU) wins via 9-6 decision vs. Hunter Pfantz (SMSU) | 18-11 SMSU
141: Max Schwabe (MSU) wins forfeit | 18-17 SMSU
149: Caleb Meunier (MSU) wins fall at 1:14 vs. Tyler Soltau (SMSU) | 23-18 MSU
157: Drake Hayward (MSU) wins via 3-2 decision vs. Sean Howk (SMSU) | 26-18 MSU
Exhibition Match #1: Kevin Bostwick (SMSU) vs. Shane Gibson (MSU) | Gibson wins 9-5 decision
Check out Mavericks Wrestling at msumavericks.com. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.