MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead wrestling will look to continue its strong string of scuffles on Thursday as the Dragons play host to top-ranked St. Cloud State. Wrestling is set to begin at 7 p.m. from Nemzek Fieldhouse. 

Live video and results will be available at msumdragons.com. 

MSUM is coming off a pair of dual wins in the state of California last Friday. The Dragons toppled over both Vanguard University (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. 

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.

Sykora leads the roster with 17 wins so far this season, including three technical falls and three major decisions. Babitt leads the team with seven wins by fall while Ferguson has racked up four technical fall victories. 

The Dragon Lineup vs St. Cloud State
2024-25 record in parentheses

125 - Clayson Mele (11-6)
133 - Thomas Carrillo (10-6)
141 - Pedro Velazquez (4-4)
149 - Cody Wienen (6-3)
157 - Jacob Reinardy (5-9)
165 - Jacob Thomas (5-5)
174 - Mason Gode (11-3)
184 - Anthony Sykora (17-3)
197 - Wyatt Powell (7-7)
HWT - Liam Babitt (14-4)

Kris Nelson is in his 16th season as MSUM's head wrestling coach.