MOORHEAD, Minn. — MSU Moorhead wrestling is set to begin the 2023-24 season on Saturday as the Dragons head Jamestown for the annual Jimmie Open. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
MSUM was selected to finish ninth in the NSIC’s preseason coaches’ poll as sophomore 165-pounder Jonas Anez was tabbed as MSUM’s wrestler to watch this season. “This year, six starters from last year’s team are back for the MSUM Dragons,” said MSUM head coach Kris Nelson, who enters his 15th year in 2023-24. “They’ve had a great preseason leading up to their first official practice on October 10th.”
The Dragons welcome back 19 returners from 2022-23’s team that went 2-10 in dual action. MSUM has also added seven incoming freshman and a pair of transfers to the midst as well.
MSUM welcomes back a host of pivotal pieces in 2022-23 including several that started multiple duals last season. Clayson Mele, Thomas Carrillo, Hunter Hayes, Jacob Davis, Gunnar Mogen, Caleb Vacura, Brett Graham and Anez all saw time in the starting lineup for MSUM. Anez and Mele eached tallied 15 wins a year ago to lead the Dragons with Anez earning six major decisions. Mele recorded four wins by pinfall in 2022-23.
An exciting group of redshirt freshman look to the mat for the Dragons as well in 2022-23. Led by 197-pounder Isaiah Huus, who came on midway through the season and would register six wins in unattached action. Huus pinned three opponents in his six wins a year ago. Jacob Reinardy, Wayne Mellon and Cody Wienen each picked up unattached open wins last season with Reinardy winning the 165 pound division at last year’s Jimmie Open (unattached). Mellon won at the MSUM-hosted Dragon Open at 174 pounds (unattached) while Wienen took home an unattached tournament win at the Tyler Plummer Classic.
Both Kayson Kenney and Tate Laducer make up the transfer contingent in 2023-24. Kenney spent the previous two seasons at Carl Albert State College (NJCAA) where he was an NJCAA national qualifier at 149 pounds. Laducer comes to Moorhead following a season a Northland Community and Technical College.
Kris Nelson begins his 15th season as MSUM head coach in 2023-24.
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