Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs

Mustangs Set for Triangular at Dakota Wesleyan

MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University wrestling team will compete in a triangular tonight against Dakota Wesleyan andNorthwestern (Iowa) before opening the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference portion of its schedule on Saturday. The triangular is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. at Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, S.D.

Follow us live: All NSIC wrestling matches are video broadcast live free of charge by New Media TV. Log onto www.northernsun.org/live.cfm to learn more and to watch the Mustangs when they are on the road! Or go to www.smsumustangs.com and click on the Live Video Webcasts tab on the right hand side of the page.

Triangular opponents: Southwest Minnesota State has won four straight meetings over Dakota Wesleyan. The two teams first met during the 2000-01 season, with SMSU last taking on the Tigers during the 2003-04 season. Dakota Wesleyan enters the triangular with a 1-4 record in duals this season. SMSU has never lost a dual with Northwestern (Iowa) owning a 5-0 record over the Red Raiders. The two teams first met in 1978-79 and last met during the 2002-03 season. Northwestern enters the triangular 2-3 in duals o the season.

Bring on the NSIC: After spending two months competing in open tournaments and duals with non-conference foes the Mustangs are set to begin the NSIC season on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. in the PE Gym. Southwest Minnesota State will host the NSIC’s preseason favorite to win the leagueSt. Cloud State University.

Huskies at a glance: St. Cloud State enters the dual with a record of 12-1 in dual competition. The Huskies finished seventh in the national tournament as a team a season ago. In the latest edition of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Top-25 Poll St. Cloud State was the second ranked team in the country behind Nebrask-Omaha.

In the latest edition of the individual rankings St. Cloud State had six individual wrestlers ranked in the top eight in the country. Gabe Suarez, seventh at 141 pounds, John Sundgren, sixth at 157 pounds, Tad Merritt, second at 165 pounds, Shamus O’Grady, sixth at 174 pounds, Mic Berg, fifth at 184 pounds, and Jacob Kalnke, at 285 pounds. SCSU is currently 12-1 in duals on the season.

Results vs. the Huskies: Southwest Minnesota State is 12-26-1 all-time against St. Cloud State. The two teams first met during the 1969-70 season, and last met a season ago. SMSU fell in a dual against the Huskies 37-9 on Jan. 16 last year. SCSU was ranked ninth in the nation at the time and won four bouts by fall to beat the Mustangs in St. Cloud. The Huskies have won the last four duals with the Mustangs.

Mustang lineup:

Wt.     Wrestler
125     Travis Borchert or Ed Reno
133     Justin Reinsma or A.J. Jenniges
141     Ethan Hildebrandt or Codie Lane
149     Kyle Anderson or David Albrecht
157     Casey Field
165     Logan McAlpin
174     William Fate
184     CD Johnson
197     Martin Hagen
285     Brian Rodas or Todd Klemz

In the poll: The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team received votes in the latest edition of the NCAA Division II wrestling rankings released by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association released Jan. 4. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference earned four spots in he top-20 in this week’s edition of the rankings. St. Cloud State currently ranks second while Augustana (S.D.) is ranked third. Minnesota State cracked the poll at seventh and Upper Iowa landed at 11th. Along with the Mustangs, MSU Moorhead received votes in the coaches’ poll this week.

Last time out: The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team had 10 wrestlers place at the Buena Vista Open today in Storm Lake, Iowa. Zach Coates and Trent Molacek led the Mustangs going 3-0 on the day as the champion at 174 pounds. Molacek followed that performance going 4-0 at 165 pounds and winning that weight class.

Nine Mustangs wrestlers placed sixth or higher at the Buena Vista Open. Travis Borchert finished second place at 125 pounds and Justin Reinsma picked up second place honors at 133 pounds. Brian Beilke also came in fourth at 133 pounds for SMSU as well. Ethan Hildebrandt lost his second bout of the night before reeling off four straight wins to take third place at 141 pounds.

Casey Field finished the day 2-1 at 157 pounds while finishing in second place. Billy Fate went 3-1 and finished third at 174 pounds. Brian Rodas and Andrew Rodas made their first appearances of the season after spending the fall with the SMSU football team. Andrew Rodas picked up a second place finish at 197 pounds while Brian went 1-2 and finished sixth at 285 pounds.

Coates started the afternoon off with a win by fall at 2:56 over Ryan Peres and followed that with a win by fall at 1:13 over Casey Paprocki of Buena Vista.

133-pounder on a tear: Redshirt freshman Justin Reinsma (Slayton, Minn.) had a strong showing in December going 4-0, including winning the Red Bracket at the Dragon Open in Moorhead on Dec. 4 with a perfect 3-0 record. Reinsma, a 133-pounder, began the stretch with a win by fall at 4:48 over Jake McManigal during SMSU’s 18-18 dual match tie versus Morningside College.

Reinsma opened the Dragon Open with a 9-2 victory over Tossaporn Suparat from Augsburg, before advancing to the finals with a victory by fall at 6:30 over Evan Forde from MSU Moorhead. Reinsma capped the day with a 12-2 win over Cody Madsen from Augsburg in the finals. Reinsma is now 16-6 on the season.

Veteran presence: CD Johnson enters the triangular with a record of 14-8 on the season. Johnson picked up a win in SMSU’s first dual of the season picking up a 5-1 decision. Draper was a part of the comeback against Morningside earning a 10-7 decision over Morningside’s John Sievert. Johnson has recorded two pins on the season.

Nationally ranked: Brian Rodas, a native of Farmersburg, Iowa, was the first Mustang to be ranked this season, and has been ranked in every poll this season. Rodas entered the season at No. 8 at 285 pounds. The junior made his first appearance of the season in the Buena Vista Open on Dec. 11. Rodas went 1-2 in the open finishing in sixth place. Last season, Rodas qualified for the national tournament at 285 pounds and finished the season with a record of 12-8.

Southwest Minnesota State at Dakota Wesleyan Triangular

Mustangs Grab Two Wins at Dakota Wesleyan Triangular; Defeat Wesleyan and Northwestern

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team picked up two dual wins in a triangular event with Dakota Wesleyan University and Northwestern (Iowa) in non-conference action Wednesday night. SMSU won the dual with Dakota Wesleyan 27-12 before picking up a 32-20 win over Northwestern. With the two wins SMSU improves to 4-0-1 heading into the NSIC portion of its schedule.

Ed Reno (125 pounds) was the first to hit the mat for the Mustangs tonight falling in a 6-2 decision to Zach Nelson of Dakota Wesleyan. Southwest Minnesota State would go on to win the next three bouts starting with Justin Reinsma (133 pounds) who picked up a 10-8 decision over Richard Rios. Redshirt freshman Codie Lane (141 pounds) pinned Allan Stuber at 5:33 of the second period before Kyle Anderson earned an 8-5 decision over Ray Rickenbach at 149 pounds.

SMSU almost walked away with the dual but the Tigers would squeak out the next two bouts when Nick Hutcheson won a 3-1 decision over SMSU’s Casey Field in overtime at 157 pounds. At 165 pounds, DWU’s Tanner LaValliere snuck past Logan McAlpin earning a 7-6 decision.

174-pounder Billy Fate earned a hard-fought 9-4 decision over Tyler Sarringar of Dakota Wesleyan. The Mustangs won the next two weight classes by forfeit setting up the heavyweight bout. SMSU’s Todd Klemz would eventually fall at 285 pounds losing a 5-2 decision to Eric Gruis. The Mustangs earned a 27-12 win in the dual with host Dakota Wesleyan.

Justin Reinsma (133 pounds) was the first to get the Mustangs on the scoreboard against Northwestern when he pinned Northwestern’s Pedro Ruiz at 2:03 of the first period. Freshman Ethan Hildebrandt followed that up with a 6-1 decision over Matt Dowell of Northwestern at 141 pounds.

Two bouts later, Logan McAlpin pinned Jesse McCann of Northwestern at 1:12 of the first period earning a win at 165 pounds for the Mustangs. Sophomore Billy Fate dominated Aaron Ruskell picking up a 16-0 technical fall at 4:19, giving SMSU a win at 174 pounds.

Martin Hagen won by forfeit at 197 pounds before senior Brian Rodas pinned Brad Hughes at 2:15 at 285 pounds. The Mustangs would go on to defeat Northwestern 32-20 in the dual.

This was the final tune-up for Southwest Minnesota State before the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule begins on Jan. 22. The Mustangs will dual No. 2 St. Cloud State at 7 p.m. in the PE gym on the campus of SMSU.

Dakota Wesleyan Triangular

Southwest Minnesota State (3-0-1) 27 Dakota Wesleyan (1-5) 12
125: Zach Nelson (DWU) dec. Ed Reno, 6 – 2
133: Justin Reinsma (SMSU) dec. Richard Rios, 10 – 8
141: Codie Lane (SMSU) pinned Allan Stuber, 5:33
149: Kyle Anderson (SMSU) dec. Ray Rickenbach, 8 – 5
157: Nick Hutcheson (DWU) dec. Casey Field, 3 – 1 OT
165: Tanner LaValliere (DWU) dec. Logan McAlpin, 7 – 6
174: Billy Fate (SMSU) dec. Tyler Sarringar, 9 – 4
184: CD Johnson (SMSU) won by forfeit
197: Martin Hagen (SMSU) won by forfeit
Hwt: Eric Gruis (DWU) dec. Todd Klemz, 5 – 2

Southwest Minnesota State (4-0-1) 32 Northwestern College (1-4) 20
125: Angelo Quintana (NOR) tech. fall Ed Reno, 18-2, 4:17
133: Justin Reinsma (SMSU) pinned Pedro Ruiz, 2:03
141: Ethan Hildebrant (SMSU) dec. Matt Dowell, 6-1
149: Jerod Flores (NOR) pinned Kyle Anderson, :38
157: Mark Evjen (NOR) pinned Casey Field, 3:36
165: Logan McAlpin (SMSU) pinned Jesse McCann, 1:12
174: Billy Fate (SMSU) tech. fall Aaron Ruskell, 16-0 4:19
184: Luke Evjen (NOR) dec. CD Johnson, 8-4
197: Martin Hagen (SMSU) won by forfeit
Hwt: Brian Rodas (SMSU) pinned Brad Hughes, 2:15

Mustangs Receive Votes in Coaches’ Poll; Rodas Ranked Eighth at Heavyweight

EDMOND, Okla. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team received votes in the latest edition of the NCAA Division II wrestling rankings released by the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association released today. In the individual rankings, SMSU’s Brian Rodas is ranked No. 8 at 285 pounds.

The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference earned four spots in he top-20 in this week’s edition of the rankings. St. Cloud State currently ranks second while Augustana (S.D.) is ranked third. Minnesota State cracked the poll at seventh and Upper Iowa landed at 11th. Along with the Mustangs, MSU Moorhead received votes in the coaches’ poll this week.

Rodas, a native of Farmersburg, Iowa, was the first Mustang to be ranked this season, and has been ranked in every poll this season. Rodas entered the season at No. 8 at 285 pounds. The junior made his first appearance of the season in the Buena Vista Open on Dec. 11. Rodas went 1-2 in the open finishing in sixth place. Last season, Rodas qualified for the national tournament at 285 pounds and finished the season with a record of 12-8.

The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team will pick up action on Jan. 19 in a triangular with Dakota Wesleyan and Northwestern (Iowa). The wrestling is set to get underway at 4:30 p.m. in Mitchell, S.D.

NCAA Division II
Team Rankings

Rank,  School (State), Points, Last Ranking
1. Nebraska-Omaha  159 1st
2. St. Cloud State (Minn.)  153 2nd
3. Augustana (S.D.)  140 3rd
4. Western State (Colo.)  131 4th
5. Newberry (S.C.) 129 5th
6. Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)  106 9th
7. Minnesota State  105 6th
8. Nebraska-Kearney  100 8th
9. Central Oklahoma  99 12th
10. Grand Canyon (Ariz.)  97 11th
11. Upper Iowa  88 10th
12. Wisconsin-Parkside  70 13th
13. North Carolina-Pembroke 64 20th
14. Findlay (Ohio)  61 7th
T15. West Liberty (W. Va.) 43 14th
T15. Fort Hays State (Kan.)  43 15th
17. Adams State (Colo.)  29 16th
18. Ashland (Ohio) 27 17th
19. East Stroudsburg (Pa.) 14 18th
20. San Francisco State (Calif.)  10 19th

Others receiving votes: Belmont Abbey (N.C.), Colorado State-Pueblo, Gannon (Pa.), Minnesota State-Moorhead, Southwest Minnesota.

NCAA Division II
Individual Rankings

125 Pounds
1. Andy Forstner, Minnesota State
2. Russell Weakley, North Carolina-Pembroke
3. Trevor Franklin, Upper Iowa
4. Alex Meger, Augustana (S.D.)
5. Josh Smith, Nebraska-Kearney
6. Connor McDonald, Newberry (S.C.)
7. Alex Johns, Indianapolis (Ind.)
8. Ben Sergent, Findlay (Ohio)
133 Pounds
1. Kyle Pedretti, Upper Iowa
2. Todd Wilcox, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
3. Ryan Link, Pittsburgh-Johnstown
4. Aldon Isenberg, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
5. B.J. Young, Newberry (S.C.)
6. Michael Magaha, Limestone (S.C.)
7. Cody Gillenwater, Central Missouri
8. Trison Graham, Central Oklahoma
141 Pounds
1. Jay Sherer, Augustana (S.D.)
2. Mario Morgan, Nebraska-Omaha
3. Andre Harrison, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
4. Dalton Jensen, Nebraska-Kearney
5. Naveed Bagheri, San Francisco State (Calif.)
6. Jimmy Savala, Chadron State (Neb.)
7. Gabe Suarez, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
8. Deral Brown, Newberry (S.C.)
149 Pounds
1. Esai Dominguez, Nebraska-Omaha
2. T.J. Hepburn, Nebraska-Kearney
3. Nate Herda, Augustana (S.D.)
4. Jeremy Espinoza, Findlay (Ohio)
5. Dale Debacco, Newberry (S.C.)
6. Josh Hensley, Adams State (Colo.)
7. Mitchell Means, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
8. Jesse Snider, Colorado Mines
157 Pounds
1. George Ivanov, Nebraska-Omaha
2. Marcus Edgington, Augustana (S.D.)
3. Dillon Bera, Wisconsin-Parkside
4. Seth Phalen, West Liberty (W.Va.)
5. Sean Byrnes, Newberry (S.C.)
6. John Sundgren, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
7. Cory Dauphin, Central Oklahoma
8. Justin Morris, Western State (Colo.)
165 Pounds
1. Josh Shields, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
2. Tad Merritt, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
3. Jake Varilek, Belmont Abbey (N.C.)
4. Derrick Adkins, Central Oklahoma
5. Joey Wilson, Nebraska-Kearney
6. Matt Gille, Wisconsin-Parkside
7. Gavin Nelson, Augustana (S.D.)
8. Justin Grant, Colorado State-Pueblo
174 Pounds
1. Luke Rynish, Wisconsin-Parkside
2. Anthony Petrella, Gannon (Pa.)
3. Ryan Pankoke, Nebraska-Omaha
4. Victor Carazo, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
5. Tim Darling, Kutztown (Pa.)
6. Shamus O’Grady, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
7. Ben Becker, Minnesota State
8. Mason True, Findlay (Ohio)
184 Pounds
1. Bryant Blanton, Newberry (S.C.)
2. Charlie Pipher, Western State (Colo.)
3. Aaron Norgren, Minnesota State
4. Aaron Denson, Nebraska-Omaha
5. Mic Berg, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
6. Brady Anderson, Mary (N.D.)
7. Ryan Becerra, Grand Canyon (Ariz.)
8. Tanner Keck, Central Oklahoma
197 Pounds
1. Donovan McMahill, Western State (Colo.)
2. Ty Copsey, Augustana (S.D.)
3. Mitch Knapp, West Liberty (W.Va.)
4. Luke McPeek, Adams State (Colo.)
5. Jarrett Edison, Central Oklahoma
6. Carl Broghammer, Upper Iowa
7. Frank Morgan, King (Tenn.)
8. Daniel Stevenson, Findlay (Ohio)
285 Pounds
1. Jacob Kahnke, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
2. Charlie Alexander, Western State (Colo.)
3. Ben Hohensee, Nebraska-Kearney
4. Matt Meuleners, Northern State (S.D.)
5. Taylor Escamilla, Nebraska-Omaha
6. J.D. Ramsey, West Liberty (W.Va.)
7. Chris Dempsey, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)
8. Brian Rodas, Southwest Minnesota

Southwest Minnesota State at Sioux Falls Triangular

Mustang Wrestling Picks up Two Wins at Sioux Falls Triangular

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –  The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team was victorious tonight at the University of Sioux Falls Triangular with USF and Wayne State College Club Team tonight. The Mustangs defeated Wayne State 58-0 before taking down USF 227-10 on their home mat.

Southwest Minnesota State picked up seven pins against the Wayne State club team. Justin Reinsma continued to roll picking up his third pin of the season and a 12-6 decision over Chaz Fredericksen of USF. Reinsma improves to 12-4 on the season.

The Mustangs finished the dual against Wayne State with seven pins. Devin Terry at 141 pounds, David Albrecht at 149 pounds, Logan McAlpin at 165, Billy Fate at 174, CD Johnson at 184 and heavyweight Todd Klemz all won by pin against Wayne State on the way to a 58-0 shutout of the Wildcats.

SMSU then took on host USF and came away with a 27-10 victory. Travis Borchert started out the match with a close 8-7 decision loss at 125 pounds to Brandon Goodwin. The Mustangs would then take seven of the next eight weight classes cruising to a 27-10 win.

157-pound red shirt freshman Casey Field picked up his first pin of the season taking down Tom Thompson of USF just 48 seconds into the second period. Billy Fate picked up a major decision at 174 pounds defeating USF’s Tal Bakke 15-0.

Southwest Minnesota State will pick up action this weekend at the Buena Vista Open in Storm Lake, Iowa at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

December 8, 2010 at Sioux Falls, SD

Southwest Minnesota State 58, Wayne State (Neb.) 0
125 Travis Borchert (SMSU) wins by forfeit, 6-0
133 Justin Reinsma (SMSU) pinned Craig Dennis (WSC), (0:26)
141 Devin Terry (SMSU) pinned Trent Brichacek (WSC), (0:19)
149 David Albrecht (SMSU) pinned Matthew Peter (WSC), (2:18)
157 Casey Field (SMSU) wins by forfeit, 6-0
165 Logan McAlpin (SMSU) pinned Allyn Gonsor (WSC), (2:40)
174 William Fate (SMSU) pinned Tahner Thiem (WSC), (4:12)
184 CD Johnson (SMSU) pinned Rob Peter (WSC), (1:03)
197 Martin Hagen (SMSU) major dec. Matt Bates (WSC), 16-3
HWT Todd Klemz (SMSU) pinned Tim Campton (WSC), (0:59)

Southwest Minnesota State 27, University of Sioux Falls 10
125 Brandon Goodwin (USF) dec. Travis Borchert (SMSU), 8-7
133 Justin Reinsma (SMSU) dec. Chaz Fredericksen (USF), 12-6
141 Devin Terry (SMSU) dec. Joe Goolsby (USF), 9-5
149 David Albrecht (SMSU) major dec. Clint McKee (USF), 16-4
157 Casey Field (SMSU) pinned Tom Thompson (USF), (2:48)
165 Travis Godbersen (USF) major dec. Logan McAlpin (SMSU), 9-1
174 William Fate (SMSU) major dec. Tal Bakke (USF), 15-0
184 CD Johnson (SMSU) dec. Casey Finnicum (USF), 9-5
197 Martin Hagen (SMSU) dec. Shea Klooster (USF), 4-2
HWT Joe Skow (USF) dec. Erik Berdahl (SMSU), 5-3

Southwest Minnesota State 18, Morningside 18

SMSU Wrestling Fights to an 18-18 Draw with Morningside College

MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (1-0-1) opened the 2010-11 home season with a draw against the No. 16 ranked NAIA member Morningside College (Iowa) (2-0-1) tonight at the PE Gym in Marshall. The Mustangs found themselves behind 18-15 heading into the final match of the evening at 285 pounds, before SMSU’s Todd Klemz came away with an 11-7 decision over Tyler Thompson to tie the meet 18-18.

The Mustangs fell behind early after 125-pounder Seife Kenea was pinned at 1:27 of the first period by Kory Kistner giving the Morningside Mustangs a 6-0 lead. The Mustangs fired right back when Justin Reinsma picked up a pin for SMSU at 4:48 to win at 133 pounds.

Continue reading →