SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – MSU Moorhead wrestling picked up a pair of convincing dual victories in the state of California on Friday night. The Dragons defeated both Vanguard (37-5) and (RV) San Francisco State (31-9).
 
Against the Lions, MSUM would claim the first two weights as Clayson Mele picked up a forfeit for six team points. Thomas Carrillo would be engaged in a contentious battle with Robert Villegas at 133 pounds, but Carrillo would narrowly survive, 8-7. While Vanguard would grab five points with a tech fall at 141 pounds, MSUM would control the dual from there. 
 
Like Carrillo, Cody Wienen would grind through a high-scoring match wth Malikhi Espiritu. Wienen would come out on top via decision, 16-14. The Dragons firmly set themselves apart at 157 pounds as Jacob Reinardy would earn a swift pin over Caidence Turner. Jacob Thomas would continue MSUM's win streak with a 4-2 decision before Anthony Sykora claimed a 15-5 major decision at 174 pounds. 
 
In the upper weights, both Mason Gode and Wyatt Powell would wrestle up one weight class for MSUM. Gode would look strong at 184 pounds, claiming a fall at 2:34 over Keagan Kroger. Powell would grab a narrow 5-4 decision at 197 pounds. Liam Babitt would not allow any points against Roman Torres at heavyweight, winning 4-0 to secure a 37-5 team win for MSUM. 
 
Dragons 37, Lions 5
Dual began at 125 pounds
125 – Clayson Mele won via forfeit
133 – Thomas Carrillo decision over Robert Villegas (8-7)
141 – Fernando Barreto technical fall over Pedro Velazquez (21-5, 4:37)
149 – Cody Wienen decision over Malikhi Espiritu (16-14)
157 – Jacob Reinardy pinned Caidence Turner (0:14)
165 – Jacob Thomas decision over Richard Motas (4-2)
174 – Anthony Sykora major decision over Marquize Brown (15-5)
184 – Mason Gode pinned Keagen Kroger (2:34)
197 – Wyatt Powell decision over Isaiah Hernandez (5-4)
HWT – Liam Babitt decision over Roman Torres (4-0)
 
The win over the Lions certainly provided the Dragons some energy entering the dual with San Francisco State. Mele, who won via forfeit against Vanguard, looked eager to wrestle to begin the dual. Mele did not need much time against Tanner Bartonico, immediately wrapping up his opponent and lifting. The Green River, Wyo., executed a flawless drop, so much so, that Bartonico's shoulder blades practically landed to the mat for the swift pin. 
 
Following a forfeit by the Gators at 133 pounds, MSUM held a 12-0 advantage in the team scoring. Velazquez would redeem himself from earlier in the evening, clinching a dominant major decision (10-2). Wienen would follow with a fall at 3:23 over Sean Yamasaki with Wienen getting a nice cradle to get his Yamasaki on the mat. The Gators would claim their first win of the dual at 157 pounds, but MSUM still led 22-3. 
 
Jacob Thomas would come close to defeating 12^th-ranked Kyle Botelho in the 165-pound bout. Thomas trailed by just one point entering the final period and had Botelho on his heels for a takedown. After several blood and injury stoppages, Botelho would claim a late takedown to earn a 4-0 decision despite Thomas' gritty showing.
 
Gode and Sykora would redeem MSUM with decision wins at 174 and 184 pounds. This time around, it was Sykora wrestling up in weight at 184 pounds. Powell would drop a close, high-scoring tilt at 197 pounds, 14-12. Babitt would cap the evening for the Dragons with another decision victory, giving MSUM a 31-9 victory. 
 
In exhibition action, Damon Ferguson would collect a win via fall at 1:13
 
Dragons 31, (RV) Gators 9
Dual began at 125 pounds
125 – Clayson Mele pinned Tanner Bartonico (2:32)
133 – Thomas Carrillo won via forfeit
141 – Pedro Velazquez major decision over Andre Dargani (10-2)
149 – Cody Wienen pinned Sean Yamasaki (3:23)
157 – Zane Stoddard decision over Jacob Reinardy (13-6)
165 – #12 Kyle Botelho decision over Jacob Thomas (4-0)
174 – Mason Gode decision over Kydyn Lima (10-8)
184 – Anthony Sykora decision over Kweli Hernandez-Maitre (11-7)
197 – Steve Karas decision over Wyatt Powell (14-12)
HWT – Liam Babitt decision over Laith Gilmore (4-1)
Extra – 165 – Damon Ferguson pinned Illia Borschenko (1:13)
 
Up Next
 
The Dragons return to Moorhead for a dual with top-ranked St. Cloud State on Thursday, December 19. Wrestling is set to begin at 7 p.m. inside Nemzek Fieldhouse.