NDSU Rolls Through California Baptist for Big 12 Win
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The North Dakota State wrestling team had six bonus-point victories and picked up a 38-3 win over California Baptist Saturday evening on the road in Big 12 action at the Van Dyne Gym.
Ryan Henningson and Spencer Mooberry each picked up pins to lead the way for the Bison. Henningson picked up his second career Big 12 dual pin, while Mooberry picked up his first career dual victory overall with his pin to close the evening.
Henningson had a 3-2 lead headed to the second period in the 125-pound match, but gave up a reversal to Adrian Limon to start the second. However, Henningson picked up his own reversal almost immediately after and put himself into a position to get Limon on his back, securing the fall at 4:00 to put the Bison up 9-0 at the time.
Prior to Henningson’s win, Juan Mora started off the night with a heavyweight battle against Chris Island. Mora gave up a takedown and two back points early, but secured a takedown before the end of the first, added a reversal to start the second and added another takedown in the third to win 8-6.
Following the only loss for the Bison on the night at 133 pounds, Gavin Drexler won his dual debut for the Bison with a major decision victory over Christian Nunez. Drexler had two takedowns and a pair of two-point nearfalls in the first period. He added a reversal in the second period and a riding time point for an 11-2 win.
In the next match, #16 Kellyn March made it back-to-back major decisions for the Bison as he defeated Marcus Peterson 14-2 at 149 pounds. March had a takedown in the first before an escape, takedown and four-point nearfall in the second. March then added two more takedowns in the third and wrapped up a riding time point with over five minutes on top.
In the 157-pound matchup, #2 Jared Franek made quick work of Koa Ruiz as he secured a tech fall victory 51 seconds into the second period. Franek had a takedown, two four-point nearfalls and a two-point nearfall in the first. He then secured two quick takedowns in the second to stop the match at 16-1.
#15 Michael Caliendo would continue the winning run for the Herd at 165 pounds, picking up a 10-4 win over Frank Almaguer. Caliendo only gave up escape points, securing four takedowns, an escape and a riding time point.
In the 174-pound match, Gaven Sax used an early takedown and a four-point nearfall to cruise to a 10-0 major decision victory over Louis Rojas. He would add an escape in the second period and a takedown in the third along with securing a riding time point.
In one of the tightest matches of the night, #31 DJ Parker battled to a 3-2 decision over Peter Acciardi at 184 pounds. Parker secured an early takedown but Acciardi made a quick escape. Each wrestler had an escape in the final two periods. Parker nearly had another takedown before play moved out of bounds, but Parker held on for the decision.
Mooberry would wrap up the night in style for the Bison at 197 pounds. Mooberry, making his second career dual start, gave up an early takedown but was able to work a reversal in response and put Caden Gerlach in a cradle before securing the fall at 2:15.
The Bison will now return to the Scheels Center for the first Big 12 duals at home this season, taking on Wyoming on Saturday, January 21 and Utah Valley on Sunday, January 22. The Wyoming dual will be at 7 p.m., with Utah Valley’s matchup set for 2 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 | Van Dyne Gym | Riverside, Calif.
#17 North Dakota State 38, California Baptist 3
285: Juan Mora (NDSU) over Chris Island (CBU) (Dec 8-6); NDSU 3-0
125: Ryan Henningson (NDSU) over Adrian Limon (CBU) (Fall 4:00); NDSU 9-0
133: Hunter Leake (CBU) over McGwire Midkiff (NDSU) (Dec 7-2); NDSU 9-3
141: Gavin Drexler (NDSU) over Christian Nunez (CBU) (MD 11-2); NDSU 13-3
149: Kellyn March (NDSU) over Marcus Peterson (CBU) (MD 14-2); NDSU 17-3
157: Jared Franek (NDSU) over Koa Ruiz (CBU) (TF 16-1, 3:51); NDSU 22-3
165: Michael Caliendo (NDSU) over Frank Almaguer (CBU) (Dec 10-4); NDSU 25-3
174: Gaven Sax (NDSU) over Louis Rojas (CBU) (MD 10-0); NDSU 29-3
184: DJ Parker (NDSU) over Peter Acciardi (CBU) (Dec 3-2); NDSU 32-3
197: Spencer Mooberry (NDSU) over Caden Gerlach (CBU) (Fall 2:15); NDSU 38-3
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