MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons wrestling team took on their first unranked opponent in five duals when they faced the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs at the John Sterner Endowment Dual on Friday night. The Dragons would follow the ceremonies with a masterful win over the Mustangs 32-6.
The Dragons honored both John Sterner, legendary coach for the Dragons from 1988-2003, and the 1997 National Champion and NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year Nate Hendrickson. Both men were critical pieces that shaped the future of Dragons wrestling for years to come.
John Sterner's coaching career was marked with success and achievements, by both him, and the athletes he coached. Sterner won six Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference titles during his 15-year career at MSUM. He coached eight national placewinners and 25 All-Americans, including Nate Hendrickson.
Nate Hendrickson is one of two NCAA Division II National Champions. He was named the NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year, being the only Division II wrestler to go undefeated, posting a 28-0 record. For his accomplishments, Hendrickson will be inducted into the Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame this March at the national tournament in Nebraska-Omaha.
The Dragons would win eight of their 10 bouts over the Mustangs including four major decisions and one pin. After wins by both
Tallen Wald and
Tyler Kivel, senior
Jarret Hall would put the Dragons ahead big early on. Hall gained a takedown of Micah Larson just 42 seconds into the match and got a three-point nearfall one minute later. Hall would choose neutral to begin the second period and took down Larson 20 seconds into the period. Hall would craft a pin at the 4:37 mark, which put the Dragons up 12-0.
The Mustangs would win the next two bouts but that would be as close as they would get. Senior
Tim Johnson picked up his teammates, besting his opponent Brian Rodas with a 5-2 decision.
The Dragons would crank up the fire on the Mustangs when sophomore
Corey Ulmer took the mat against Robert Morris. Morris looked overmatched by Ulmer the entire match and Ulmer showed it early on as he took down Morris one minute into the period and crafted a three-point nearfall with 15 seconds left.
Ulmer would duplicate his first period results as he took Morris down with 55 seconds remaining in the second period and as time was running out once again gained a three-point nearfall. Ulmer would once more in the third period dominate his opponent by taking down Morris with 1:36 left and gained his third three-point nearfall of the match as time ran down. Ulmer would take the match with a 16-0 major decision.
Junior
Evan Forde, who led the Dragons with 17 wins, would continue to apply the pressure in the 133-pound match. Forde would control the match early as he took down A.J. Jennings 52 seconds into the match and would control Jennings, not allowing his opponent to escape.
Forde deferred his decision till the third period and Jennings chose neutral. Forde would make Jennings pay for that decision as he took down Jennings with 55 seconds remaining in the second period. Forde would not give Jennings a chance to score any points as he chose down and escaped just seven seconds into the match. Forde would control the match from that point on, gaining another major decision for the Dragons, winning 8-0.
Junior
Brady Schneeberger would keep things going for the Dragons. After a takedown of Brandan Schunk in the first period Schneeberger would gain a reversal with nine second remaining but Schunk was given a last second reversal of his own, keeping him with in two points. Schneeberger would leave nothing to chance as he took down Schunk with 1:20 remaining and gained a three-point nearfall eight seconds later. Schneeberger would win the match by a 10-2 major decision.
The Dragons would finish strong as sophomore
Tyler Steinwand as he would gain a 15-6 major decision over Kyle Anderson. Steinwand would put himself ahead early with three takedowns of Anderson in the first period. After gaining another takedown in the second Steinwand would go back to his first period form, gaining three more takedowns, tallying seven takedowns in the win.
The 32-6 win gives the Dragons a 5-9 record on the season (2-4 NSIC). The loss drops the Mustangs to 2-4 on the season (0-1 NSIC). The Dragons will finish their regular season at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. against No. 6 Augustana College. The final meet will be Senior Night for the Dragons senior wrestlers.
