MARSHALL, Minn. – The No. 22 Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (1-5, 1-5 NSIC) will host a pair of NSIC dual meets this weekend. On Friday, the Mustangs will square off with the Minot State Beavers at 7 p.m. for Tropical Night, while on Saturday, SMSU will celebrate its ‘Senior Day’ with a matchup against No. 14 UMary starting at 2 p.m.
MUSTANGS IN THE RANKINGS: SMSU has two wrestlers ranked in the NWCA rankings (Jan. 20). Caden Steffen leads the way for the Mustangs, ranking second at 184 pounds. Steffen is 16-2 on the season and 3-1 in duals. Steffen has been named NSIC Wrestler of the Week twice this season, on Nov. 11 Steffen won the award after placing first at the Dakota Wesleyan tournament and won the award again on Dec. 19 after placing first at the Midwest Classic. … Jacob Dykes entered the NWCA rankings at No. 11 after defeating the reigning national champion Darrell Mason by a 3-1 decision. Dykes was the first to defeat Mason since Mason joined division II and was named the NSIC Wrestler of the Week for his victory (Jan. 16) … SMSU has also been recognized for its team success, as the NWCA ranks the Mustangs at No. 22.
LAST TIME OUT: The Mustangs lost a home dual to No. 14 Augustana on Sunday by a score of 36-3. The meet was competitive despite the score as there were several close matches. Lucas Hodges picked up the sole victory for SMSU, picking up a 4-2 decision victory over Payton Anderson. Sean Howk nearly defeated No. 10 Miles Fitzgerald but in the end, Miles Fitzgerald picked up the 3-2 decision victory.
SMSU Leaders:
Caden Steffen (16-2)
Jacob Dykes (12-6)
Sean Howk (11-9)
Luke Peterson (10-5)
Lucas Hodges (9-10)
Carter Marx (8-9)
MINOT STATE NOTES: The Beavers (6-8 overall, 1-5 NSIC) are currently unranked, but are receiving votes in the latest NWCA Poll (Jan. 20) and has one wrestler ranked in the NWCA rankings, No. 9 at 285 Jake Swirple.
MINOT STATE SERIES HISTORY: SMSU leads the all-time series 8-4 in a series that dates back to 1970. The Beavers have won the last two meetings, with SMSU last winning on Feb. 7, 2020. The Mustangs are 4-0 at home against Minot State.
UMARY NOTES: The Marauders (11-2 overall, 4-1 NSIC) are currently tied for 14th in the NWCA poll and have two wrestlers ranked in the NWCA rankings, No. 3 at 133 Reece Barnhardt and No. 2 at 174 Max Bruss.
UMARY SERIES HISTORY: SMSU leads the all-time series 9-6 in a series that dates back to 2007. The Marauders have won the last four meetings, with SMSU last winning on Jan. 27, 2017. The Mustangs are 4-3 at home against UMary, with their last home win coming on Jan. 23, 2016.
Watch Minot State at SMSU | Watch UMary at SMSU
SMSU Probable Line-Up
125 presented by Countryside Golf Club – Ben Emrich (2-10)
133 presented by Laleman Construction – Open
141 presented by Borch’s Sporting Goods – Hunter Pfantz (7-12)
149 presented by Marshall Auto Exchange – Tyler Soltau (2-15)
157 presented by Wendinger Travel – Sean Howk (11-9)
165 presented by Xcaliber Gunsmithing – Lucas Hodges (9-10)
174 presented by Cottonwood Oil Co-op – Elijah Sterner (2-12)
184 presented by Borch’s Sporting Goods – Kevin Bostwick (3-9)
197 presented by Mustang Wrestling Club – Carter Marx (8-9)
285 presented by Countryside Golf Club – Jacob Dykes (12-6)
MINOT STATE Probable Lineup
125 – Oscar Nellis
133 – James Davis or Logen Fischer
141 – Ethan Wonser
149 – Kelby Armstrong
157 – Nathan Baca
165 – Brendan Barnes or Austin Frantzich
174 – Cannon Potts or Brody Mohr
184 – Cayden White or Shane Hansen
197 – Dustin Swisher
285 – Jake Swirple
UMARY Probable Lineup
125 – Jaden Verhagen
133 – Reece Barnhardt
141 – Laken Boese
149 – Leo Mushinsky or Lincoln Turman
157 – Anthony Velazquez or Devin Steidler
165 – Riley Noble or Dante Roggio
174 – Max Bruss
184 – Wyatt Lidberg or Sam Bruss
197 – Matt Kaylor
285 – Luke Tweeton
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