NDSU Dominates Wyoming in Big XII Dual
FARGO, N.D. – The No. 17 North Dakota State Wrestling team picked up a dominating 32-3 victory over Wyoming Saturday night at the Scheels Center in Big XII play.
The 29-point victory is the largest win for the Bison (7-2, 2-1 Big XII) over Wyoming (0-6, 0-6 Big XII) in series history, with the previous largest win coming in a 29-10 victory in February of 2008, also in Fargo. The 32 points is the most in a dual for the Bison against Wyoming all time and the three points allowed is the fewest.
After Ryan Henningson lost in a 4-2 battle with #25 Jore Volk in the 125-pound match to start the dual, McGwire Midkiff quickly leveled the score for the Bison as he picked up a dominating 10-3 win over Garrett Ricks at 133 pounds. Midkiff secured a couple of takedowns and added a four-point nearfall in the victory.
The Bison would grab the lead in the 141-pound match as #31 Dylan Droegemueller overcame an early deficit to win 7-3 over Job Greenwood. Greenwood had an early takedown, but Droegemueller answered back with a takedown in the first and another in the second to take control of the match.
In the 149-pound match, #17 Kellyn March extended the Bison lead with an 8-4 win over Chase Zollmann. March had an early takedown and held a 3-2 lead after one period following an escape on a reversal from Zollmann. However, March secured a reversal to start the second and added another takedown in the third for the victory.
In one of the most anticipated matches of the night, #2 Jared Franek improved to 4-0 all-time against #13 Jacob Wright with a 3-1 win in sudden victory. Each wrestler earned their escape point and late in sudden victory, Franek worked around in a scramble for the takedown and victory. Franek’s win also gave the senior the NDSU Div. I era record for ranked wins with his 27th, breaking a tie with Steven Monk (2010-14).
The Bison would keep the run going as #13 Michael Caliendo would pick up an 8-4 victory over Cole Moody at 165 pounds before the Herd would start a bonus-point run. Caliendo would secure takedowns in each period to secure his 15th win of the season. Caliendo has a team-leading 33 dual points earned this season for the Bison.
In the next three matches, the Bison would score bonus points, beginning with a 9-0 major decision victory by Gaven Sax at 174 pounds. Following a scoreless first period, Sax would start on top and make a turn for a four-point nearfall in the second. He then added a reversal and two more back points in the third, along with a riding time point.
Another major decision followed as #28 DJ Parker picked up a 13-2 victory over Quayin Short at 184 pounds. Parker had an early takedown and two-point near fall to take the lead. He then added a pair of four-point nearfalls in the period to take control of the match.
The bonus-point run was capped off by a fall at 197 pounds from #15 Owen Pentz. After an early takedown of Tyce Raddon, Pentz was able to turn Raddon and secure a fall at 1:46. It is the sixth pin of the season for Pentz and the fastest of his season as well.
The Bison would wrap up the dual with a ninth-straight victory as #28 Juan Mora picked up a 2-0 victory at heavyweight over Terren Swartz. Following a scoreless first, Mora rode Swartz for the entirety of the second and added an escape in the third to secure the win.
North Dakota State will be back in action Sunday afternoon, taking on Utah Valley. The dual is set to begin at 2 p.m. inside the Scheels Center.
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 | Scheels Center | Fargo, N.D. | Att: 585
#17 North Dakota State 32, Wyoming 3
125: #25 Jore Volk (WYO) over Ryan Henningson (NDSU) (Dec 4-2); WYO 3-0
133: McGwire Midkiff (NDSU) over Garrett Ricks (WYO) (Dec 10-3); Tied 3-3
141: #31 Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU) over Job Greenwood (WYO) (Dec 7-3); NDSU 6-3
149: #17 Kellyn March (NDSU) over Chase Zollmann (WYO) (Dec 8-4); NDSU 9-3
157: #2 Jared Franek (NDSU) over #13 Jacob Wright (WYO) (SV-1 3-1); NDSU 12-3
165: #13 Michael Caliendo (NDSU) over Cole Moody (WYO) (Dec 8-4); NDSU 15-3
174: Gaven Sax (NDSU) over Brett McIntosh (WYO) (MD 9-0); NDSU 19-3
184: #28 DJ Parker (NDSU) over Quayin Short (WYO) (MD 13-2); NDSU 23-3
197: #15 Owen Pentz (NDSU) over Tyce Raddon (WYO (Fall 1:46); NDSU 29-3
285: #28 Juan Mora (NDSU) over Terren Swartz (WYO) (Dec 2-0); NDSU 32-3
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