Wrestling | 1/20/2022 10:10:00 PM

MOORHEAD, Minn. – Despite major decision wins by junior Cole Jones and senior Braydon Ortloff, the Minnesota State University Moorhead wrestling team fell short against Southwest Minnesota State on Thursday by a 32-8 score.
 
The Dragons (0-3, 0-2 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) were competing for the first time in more than a month. Their last three events were off because of Covid-19 protocols within the team, and practice time has been limited. SMSU improved to 1-2 overall and in the NSIC.
 
MSUM forfeited at 125 pounds and trailed 6-0 heading into 133.
 
At 133, Jones (6-6) got Hunter Pfantz to his back in the first period and piled up a 12-2 lead after the first three minutes. Pfantz scored some points to cut into the lead but Jones added another takedown in the third to seal an 18-7 win.
 
Jones avenged an earlier 17-11 loss to Pfantz at the Dragon Open in December.
 
The Mustangs won the next four matches, winning three with bonus points, to push the lead to 20-4.
 
Ortloff stopped SMSU's streak with an impressive showing at 165. Ortloff built a big lead over SMSU's Elijah Sterner and went on to take the 16-4 major decision to improve to 3-2 on the season.
 
SMSU won the final four matches by decision, including an overtime win at 285.
 
MSUM hosts Northern State at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
 
 
SMSU 32, MSU Moorhead 8
125-#15 Jackson Stauffacher (SMSU) won by forfeit
133-Cole Jones (MSUM) maj. dec. Hunter Pfantz, 18-7
141-Luke Peterson (SMSU) tech. fall Hunter Hayes, 16-0
149-Bobby Shields (SMSU) dec. Jacob Thomas, 5-3
157-Lucas Hodges (SMSU) pinned Peyton Ringling, 1:53
165-Braydon Ortloff (MSUM) maj. dec. Elijah Sterner, 16-4
174-Carter Marx (SMSU) dec. Justin Dravis, 7-2
184-#4 Caden Steffen (SMSU) dec. Gage Roaldson, 8-1
197-Dillon McEachran (SMSU) dec. Steven Abbott, 11-4
285-Jacob Dykes (SMSU) dec. Samuel Grove, 3-1 (OT)