Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs

NWCA NCAA DII Rankings – December 4, 2023

Lander holds atop Division II Men’s Coaches Poll

MANHEIM, PA – The Lander Bearcats held on to the number one spot in the newest edition of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division II Men’s Coaches Poll, released Monday afternoon.

Lander stayed atop the poll with 81 total points behind a poll-high seven ranked wrestlers. West Liberty stayed in the #2 spot with 71 points, with Indianapolis (65 points), Central Oklahoma (59 points), St. cloud State (52 points) and UMary (52 points) rounding out the Top 5.

Both West Liberty and Indianapolis also feature seven ranked wrestlers, with both the Hilltoppers and Greyhounds featuring a top-ranked wrestler. None of the number one wrestlers changed in the newest edition of the ranking.

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Mustangs end open season with four place winners at Dragon Open

MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University wrestling team concluded its open season today, competing in the MSU Moorhead Dragon Open.

At 133, Chase Hanson began his open with a 10-8 decision victory over Owen Bertram (Concordia-Moorhead) before losing by tech fall to Johnny Colon. In the consolation bracket, Hanson was able to pick up an 11-9 decision victory over Xavier Jones (St. Johns). Hanson placed sixth at 133 pounds.

Wrestling unattached, AJ Polansky lost his first match at 133, but found his rhythm in the consolation bracket, picking up a fall victory over Owen Bertram, an 18-11 decision victory over Shad Cano (MSUM) and a 13-5 major decision victory over Johnny Colon to earn a spot in the third-place match. Polansky lost to Braiden Kort (Augustana) to place fourth at 133.

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Minot State 16 Southwest Minnesota State 15

Dykes downs #3 swirple, but Mustangs lose close dual to Beavers

MINOT, N.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team lost a close dual to the Minot State Beavers by a final score of 16-15 on Saturday afternoon.

SMSU opened with a victory at 125, Carlo Arreola earned his first dual win with a 14-6 major decision over Logan Fischer, to put the Mustangs up 4-0.

Minot State would then 141 by tech fall and then a series of highly contested matches, winning at 141, 149, 157 and 165 by decision, to take a lead of 17-4.

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University of Mary 42, Southwest Minnesota State 3

Mustangs fall to No. 9 Marauders

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team fell to No. 9 ranked University of Mary Marauders by a final score of 42-3 on Friday night.

UMary jumped out to an early lead, winning 157 and 165 by fall, 174 by major decision and 184 by decision.

The lone victory of the day for the Mustangs came at 197, as No. 3 ranked Caden Steffen faced off with No. 6 ranked Matt Kaylor. The match went to overtime tied at 1-1. Steffen was able to secure a takedown in the first overtime period to secure the sudden victory for the Mustangs.

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Mustangs set to begin NSIC dual season

MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team will be competing on three consecutive days, with a pair of NSIC dual meets and an open this weekend. On Friday, the Mustangs will travel to Bismarck N.D. to square off with the University of Mary Marauders at 6 p.m. Saturday, in Minot N.D., SMSU will match up with the Minot State Beavers at 2 p.m. On Sunday, the Mustangs will end their weekend with the MSU Moorhead Dragon Open.

MUSTANGS IN THE RANKINGS: SMSU has two wrestlers ranked in The Open Mat rankings (Nov. 29). Caden Steffen leads the way for the Mustangs, ranking third at 197 pounds. Steffen is 7-1 on the season and was named NSIC Wrestler of the Week on Nov. 14. Steffen won the award after placing first at 197 in the Dakota Wesleyan Open. Jacob Dykes ranks 16th at 285 pounds. Dykes is 2-2 on the season, with a major decision and decision victories.

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