MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (1-2, 1-2 NSIC) returns to the road, traveling for a match at Parkside (4-0, 2-0 NSIC) in Kenosha, Wis., on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m., before heading to Fayette, Iowa, to face Upper Iowa (6-2, 2-0 NSIC) for a dual on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 2 p.m.
MUSTANGS IN THE RANKINGS: SMSU has one wrestler ranked in the NWCA rankings (Dec. 23). Caden Steffen ranks second at 184 pounds. Steffen is 16-1 on the season and 3-0 in duals. Steffen was named NSIC Wrestler of the Week for the second time this season after placing first at the Midwest Classic. Steffen picked up victories over three of the NWCA top 10 at the Midwest Classic, No. 9 Cole Houser, No. 6 Daniel Beemer and No.4 Anthony Des Vigne. His only loss this season was a 3-2 decision to Billy Higgins, who is currently ranked first at 184 pounds. … SMSU has also been recognized for its team success, as the NWCA ranks the Mustangs at No. 24.
LAST TIME OUT: The Mustangs lost a close dual on the road against the Minnesota State Mavericks. The dual opened with two major decision wins for the Mavericks at 165 and 174, respectively. Caden Steffen picked up the first victory for the Mustangs as he picked up a 6-1 decision win. Carter Marx continued the momentum for SMSU, as he overcame a slow start to secure a fall early in the third period. The heavyweight matchup was the highlight of the dual as Jacob Dykes faced the reigning Division II wrestler of the year, Darrell Mason. Jacob Dykes scored a takedown in the first period and an escape in the third period to pick up the 3-1 decision win, handing Mason his first loss in Division-II. After a forfeit by the Mavericks at 125, the Mustangs led 18-8. Unfortunately, the Mavericks won the remaining matchups, picking up a decision at 133, a forfeit at 141, a fall at 149 and a decision at 157. The final was 26-18 in favor of the Mavericks.
DYKES EARNS WEEKLY HONOR: Jacob Dykes was named the NSIC Wrestler of the Week on Monday for his victory over Darrell Mason. Dykes became the first wrestler to defeat Mason in Division II. Dykes took Mason down in the first period and secured an escape in the third period to win the matchup 3-1. Dykes has a tough weekend ahead of him, as he will matchup with two of the top 10 wrestlers at 285 in the NWCA rankings, No. 10 Lloyd Reynolds and No.9 Zach Ryg.
SMSU Leaders:
Caden Steffen (16-1)
Jacob Dykes (11-4)
Sean Howk (11-6)
Luke Peterson (10-5)
Lucas Hodges (8-8)
Carter Marx (7-7)
Watch SMSU at Parkside | Watch SMSU at Upper Iowa
PARKSIDE NOTES: The Rangers (4-0 overall, 2-0 NSIC) are currently tied for ninth in the NWCA poll and have six wrestlers ranked in the NWCA rankings, No. 9 at 125 Shane Corrigan, No. 10 at 149 Jaylen Spuhler, No. 12 at 157 Ben Durocher, No. 1 at 165 Shane Gantz, No. 10 at 184 Reece Worachek and No. 10 at 285 Lloyd Reynolds. Parkside has six wrestlers with at least 15 wins, with Gantz (22-0), Reynolds (21-3), Corrigan (21-5), Spuhler (20-5), Worachek (18-4) and Cayden Henschel (16-3) leading the way.
PARKSIDE SERIES HISTORY: SMSU is yet to defeat Parkside as they currently trail 0-4 in the all-time series that dates back to 2001. The last meeting between the two teams was the closest in series history, as the Rangers defeated the Mustangs, 21-12, last season in Marshall.
UPPER IOWA NOTES: The Peacocks (6-2 overall, 2-0 NSIC) are currently tied for ninth in the NWCA poll and have four wrestlers ranked in the NWCA rankings, No. 5 at 141 Tate Murty, No. 2 at 165 Chase Luensman, No. 9 at 197 Dalton Hahn, No. 9 at 285 Zach Ryg. UIU has four wrestlers with at least 15 wins, with Luensman (19-1), Murty (19-4), Eric Faught (16-3) and Kaden Anderlik (16-6) leading the way.
UPPER IOWA SERIES HISTORY: SMSU trails the all-time series 4-16 in a series that dates back to 1991. The Mustangs defeated the Peacocks in each of the first four meetings, but the Peacocks have won each of the last 16 meetings. SMSU is 4-8 in Fayette, with their last win coming on Nov. 5, 1994, when the Mustangs defeated the Peacocks 24-13.
SMSU Probable Line-Up
125 presented by Countryside Golf Club
- Ben Emrich (2-8)
133 presented by Laleman Construction - Hunter Pfantz (7-9)
141 presented by Borch’s Sporting Goods - Open
149 presented by Marshall Auto Exchange - Tyler Soltau (2-12)
157 presented by Wendinger Travel - Sean Howk (11-6)
165 presented by Xcaliber Gunsmithing - Lucas Hodges (8-8)
174 presented by Cottonwood Oil Co-op - Elijah Sterner (2-9)
184 presented by Borch’s Sporting Goods - No. 2 Caden Steffen (16-1)
197 presented by Mustang Wrestling Club - Carter Marx (7-7)
285 presented by Countryside Golf Club - Jacob Dykes (11-4)
Parkside Probable Lineup
125: No. 9 Shane Corrigan (21-5)
133: Matthew Chi (8-8), Joey Roti (11-7) or Troy Dolphin (6-2)
141: Cayden Henschel (16-3)
149: No. 10 Jalen Spuhler (20-5)
157: No. 12 Ben Durocher (11-5)
165: No. 1 Shane Gantz (22-0)
174: Crosby Schlosser (9-11), Edgar Heredia (0-0) or Torry Early (13-4)
184: No. 10 Reece Worachek (18-4)
197: Joe Swanson (3-7) or Kaden Hooker (1-2)
285: No. 10 Lloyd Reynolds (21-3)
Upper Iowa Probable Lineup
125: Colby Lopez (2-15)
133: Kaden Anderlik (16-6)
141: No. 5 Tate Murty (19-4)
149: Ethen Doty (11-8) or Connor Manderfeld (4-1)
157: Eric Faught (16-3) or Throndson (7-2)
165: No. 2 Chase Luensman (19-1)
174: Scott Kellenberger (12-7) or Meyer (8-3)
184: Colter Bye (8-7) or Cameron Lopez (4-4)
197: No. 9 Dalton Hahn (6-2)
285: No. 9 Zach Ryg (14-5)
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