The Open Mat has released NCAA Division I wrestling rankings for Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Lyden, McEnelly Capture Titles at Daktronics Open
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota wrestling claimed two individual titles Sunday at the Daktronics Open in Brookings, S.D., as redshirt freshman Hunter Lyden (165) and true freshmen Max McEnelly (184) won their championships at Frost Arena.
Lyden captured the Daktronics Open title at 165 pounds. Facing off with Northern Iowa’s Evan Yant, Lyden trailed 4-1 going into the final period, but he escaped within the first 20 seconds to cut the margin to 4-2 and then used a takedown before riding out Yant over the final 1:22 to claim the victory.
Lyden opened the day with a 4-1 sudden victory over South Dakota State’s Brock Fettig, then held off Iowa State’s Connor Euton, 8-7, to reach the finals.
Daktronics Open
2023 Daktronics Open results. Sunday, November 19 at Brookings, S.D.
Gophers Roll to Dual Wins over Morgan State, George Mason
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 14 Minnesota wrestling program improved its dual record to 3-0 after dominant victories over Morgan State (0-5) and George Mason (4-2) Saturday in Fairfax, Va. The Gophers shut out the Bears, 52-0, and followed that with a 37-6 victory over the host-Patriots.
The Golden Gophers had little trouble with Morgan State, a first-year HBCU program, as they won all nine contested matches by bonus points. Only one bout made it past the second period and no takedowns were recorded by the Bears. The shutout was the team’s first since a 48-0 win over Maryland in Jan. of 2021, and it was the Gophers’ largest win, and first time reaching 50 points, since a 53-0 victory over Duke in Jan. of 2019.
Seventh-ranked sixth-year senior Patrick McKee got the match started at 125 pounds with his second pin in as many matches this season. Redshirt sophomore Jager Eisch, making his season dual debut, and 31st-ranked redshirt sophomore Vance VomBaur followed with 18-0, tech fall victories at 133 and 141 pounds, respectively.
Gopher Wrestling Promotions, Youth Clinic Dates Announced
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota wrestling has unveiled its promotions schedule for the upcoming season, as well as the dates for the popular youth clinics.
The home slate kicks off Nov. 26 against South Dakota State with Military Appreciation Day. All current military members and veterans can receive a discounted ticket to the dual. Visit the ticket office on the day of the dual to receive your discounted ticket.
Minnesota 37, Bucknell 3
No. 14 Minnesota Cruises Past Bucknell, 37-3, in Season Opener
MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 14 Minnesota wrestling team (1-0) won nine matches en route to a dominant, 37-3, season-opening victory at Bucknell (1-2) Thursday night in Lewisburg, Pa.
In the first ever meeting between the schools, the Golden Gophers secured five bonus point-victories, including a pair of pins, two major decisions and one tech fall. The victory marked the most points and the largest margin of victory for Minnesota in a season opener since shutting out Portland State, 54-0, to start the 2008-09 campaign.
Sixth-year senior Patrick McKee set the tone early as he made his season debut against Owen Bell at 125 pounds. After an early takedown, McKee secured the fall at 1:52. It was the 22nd pin of McKee’s career, moving him into a tie for 28th in program history with Dan Zilverberg and current Gopher assistant coach Zach Sanders.
Coach’s Corner With Brandon Eggum
Hear from Gopher Wrestling Head Coach Brandon Eggum.
Busy Week Has Three Duals, Daktronics Open on Tap for Gopher Wrestling
MINNEAPOLIS — After dominating the competition last week at the season-opening Bison Open, Minnesota wrestling hits the road for its first dual meets of the season.
Thursday, the Gophers travel to Bucknell to take on the Bison at 6 p.m., while Saturday sees the team face Morgan State at 12:30 p.m. and host George Mason at 2 p.m. All three dual meets will be streamed on ESPN+ with live results Thursday on FloArena.com and TrackWrestling.com on Saturday.
It’ll be the first-ever meeting for Minnesota against both Bucknell and George Mason, while the Gophers met the Bears of Morgan State once in 1994, winning 35-12 at the Virginia Duals.