Wrestling | 1/9/2018 5:23:00 PM
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MOORHEAD, Minn. –The Minnesota State University Moorhead wrestling team will open NSIC competition this weekend when they travel to Fayette, Iowa and Mankato, Minn. to face Upper Iowa and Minnesota State. The Dragons will face Upper Iowa Thursday at 7 p.m. at Fayette, Iowa, and will face Minnesota State on Friday at 7 p.m. in Mankato, Minn.
The Dragons last competed at the Midwest Classic, where senior
Tommy Walton was the lone wrestler to make it to the second day. He went 3-1 to open the tournament at 141 pounds, before injury defaulting out of his first match of the second day against Kevin Kinyua of Mercyhurst.
Three Dragons went 2-2 at the tournament, including sophomore
Zach Scott, who picked up a 6-0 win over Dawson Sickmeier of Lidenwood and Alex Rhine of Bellarmine University. Sophomore
Preston Lehmann picked up a win via fall over Dominique Hampton of Central Missouri before his day came to an end. Redshirt freshman
Jordan Magnuson almost advanced to the second day, byt was eliminated by McKendree University's Christian Boyles.
The Dragons are led by junior
Adam Blees, who is ranked eighth in the nation at 174 pounds in the latest NCAA DII Wrestling Coaches Association rankings. Blees is the second-highest NSIC wrestler at 174 pounds behind only Kolton Eschews of St. Cloud State, who is seventh. Blees, a Bismarck, N.D. native is 12-4 on the season, which is the best record on the team.
Freshman
Cole Jones is 12-8 on the season at 125 pounds, while freshman
Mason Schulz is 13-6 while competing unattached at 133 pounds. Magnuson has a 10-5 record, while redshirt freshman
Aaron Sistrunk is 10-7 on the season.
About Upper Iowa
The Peacocks are 5-3 in dual matches on the season, with wins over Truman State, Minot State, and three wins at the NWCA National Duals. All three wins at the national duals came over ranked opponents, including No. 7 Colorado State University – Pueblo.
The Peacocks are led by sophomore Brock Benitz, who is 15-3 on the season at 174 pounds. Redshirt junior Maleek Williams has compiled a 12-3 record at 133 pounds, while Redshirt senior Josh Walker is 14-5 on the season at 149 pounds.
The Peacocks are led by head coach Heath Grimm, who is in his 18th season as head coach.
About Minnesota State
The Mavericks are 4-1 on the season, with wins over St. John's, Minot State, University of Mary, and Central Missouri. Their lone loss came to UW-Parkside.
The Mavericks are led by Kyle Rathman, who is 17-3 on the season at 149 pounds. Kolbe O'Brien is 13-4 competing unattached at 141 pounds, while Louie Sanders is also 3-4 at 141 pounds. Corey Abernathy is 11-2 at 184 pounds.
The Mavericks are led by head coach Jim Makovsky, who is in his 25th season as head coach of the Mavericks.
Looking Ahead
The Dragons will have three consecutive home matches following this weekend, as they will host Augustana on Jan. 20, University of Mary on Jan. 28, and St. Cloud State on Feb. 1.
