NDSU Defeats Oklahoma 21-12 for Seventh Straight Win
FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State wrestling program picked up a 21-12 victory over Oklahoma Friday night in Big 12 action at the Scheels Center.
The Bison (11-2, 6-1 Big 12) jumped out to a strong start, winning five of the first six matches and extended their win streak to seven duals, matching the longest in the program’s Division I history.
In the opening match, #16 Kellyn March picked up a key 5-0 win over #20 Mitch Moore in the 149-pound match for his third-ranked win of the season. After a scoreless first period, March started on top in the second and turned Moore for a two-point nearfall as he rode him for the entire period. March then added a reversal in the third period and rode out the match for his sixth straight victory.
The Bison would make it two straight wins to start the match after #2 Jared Franek defeated Jacob Butler 6-2 in the 157-pound match. Franek had a takedown in the first and third periods and added an escape and riding time for his scoring. Franek extends his win streak to 18 consecutive matches.
Following Franek’s win, #10 Michael Caliendo extended the Bison lead to 9-0 with a 10-5 decision over #23 Gerrit Nijenhuis. Caliendo fell behind early but added two takedowns in the first for a 5-3 lead. In the third period, Caliendo added a reversal and another takedown before securing a riding time point. The victory is the seventh straight for Caliendo and fifth overall against ranked competition this season.
Oklahoma (8-7, 1-5 Big 12) would score their first points as #23 Tate Picklo and Gaven Sax battled to an 8-4 decision for Picklo. Sax rode Picklo for nearly the entire second period but a late reversal swung the match.
The Bison would regain the momentum at 184 pounds, as #27 DJ Parker threw Keegan Moore onto his back late in the first period and secured four swipes before pinning Moore to give the Bison a 15-3 lead at 2:58 of the first. It is the first pin for Parker this season and the fifth of his career.
In the 197-pound match, #11 Owen Pentz would extend the Bison lead to 18-3 as he picked up a 6-5 decision over Carson Berryhill. Pentz secured an early takedown and was working for a pin, securing a two-point nearfall, before Berryhill rolled out for a reversal. Pentz would add a reversal of his own for a 6-2 lead and held on for his 10th straight victory.
Oklahoma would win the next two matches, as #14 Jos Heindselman picked up a 4-2 win over Juan Mora in a tiebreaker at heavyweight after going through regulation and sudden victory deadlocked at 1-1. At 125 pounds, #19 Joey Prata secured a late takedown to defeat Carlos Negrete 3-2, bringing the dual score to 18-9 in favor of the Bison.
Senior McGwire Midkiff would then seal the dual victory for the Bison as he upset #27 Wyatt Henson with a 10-3 decision. Midkiff secured a takedown in the first and then added another takedown in the third with a four-point nearfall to secure his first ranked win of the season and the dual.
Oklahoma would close out the dual with a 6-2 win at 141 pounds, as #7 Mosha Schwartz defeated #30 Dylan Droegemueller.
The Bison will return to action next Sunday, February 19, taking on South Dakota State in the final dual of the season. The dual will be held at the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse and is slated for a 2 p.m. start.
Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 | Scheels Center | Fargo, N.D. | Att: 706
#15 North Dakota State 21, Oklahoma 12
149: #16 Kellyn March (NDSU) over #20 Mitch Moore (OU) (Dec 5-0); NDSU 3-0
157: #2 Jared Franek (NDSU) over Jacob Butler (OU) (Dec 6-2); NDSU 6-0
165: #10 Michael Caliendo (NDSU) over #23 Gerrit Nijenhuis (OU) (Dec 10-5); NDSU 9-0
174: #23 Tate Picklo (OU) over Gaven Sax (NDSU) (Dec 8-4); NDSU 9-3
184: #27 DJ Parker (NDSU) over Keegan Moore (OU) (Fall 2:58); NDSU 15-3
197: #11 Owen Pentz (NDSU) over Carson Berryhill (OU) (Dec 6-5); NDSU 18-3
285: #14 Josh Heindselman (OU) over Juan Mora (NDSU) (TB 4-2); NDSU 18-6
125: #19 Joey Prata (OU) over Carlos Negrete Jr. (NDSU) (Dec 3-2); NDSU 18-9
133: McGwire Midkiff (NDSU) over #27 Wyatt Henson (OU) (Dec 10-3); NDSU 21-9
141: #7 Mosha Schwartz (OU) over #30 Dylan Droegemueller (NDSU) (Dec 6-2); NDSU 21-12
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