MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead wrestling is set for a busy week of competition as the Dragons will dual Northern State in Aberdeen, S.D., on Thursday beginning at 7 p.m. MSUM will then host the annual Dragon Open on Saturday with wrestling set to start at 11 a.m.

Live video and results can be found on msumdragons.com. MSUM last competed on November 13 in a 48-6 dual win over Northland Community and Technical College. 

Clayson Mele would open up the team scoring for the Dragons in the evening's opening bout at 125 pounds. Mele would build an early lead into the second period, but had a fall on his mind. The redshirt junior gathered over three minutes of riding time before sticking Northland's Josiah Crandall at 4:38. After MSUM took a forfeit at 133 pounds, the squads were tied at six points each. 
 
The congruence would end there, however as newcomer Pedro Velazquez collected his first victory as a Dragon. Velazquez cruised to a 14-1 major decision win over Ethan Horn at 141 pounds with over five minutes of riding time. Beau Daily would turn in a similar effort at 149 pounds, winning via major decision, 12-3. Daily racked up over two minutes of riding time. 
 
In his debut match of the 2024-25 season, Cody Wienen would put on a show in his hometown. Wienen would grab a technical fall victory in short order at 3:50. The redshirt sophomore used several rounds of near fall points to earn the win. Freshman Damon Ferguson would collect over three minutes of riding time en route to another technical fall for the Dragons (18-2) at 5:54. 
 
MSUM would blow the team scoring open with three pins in the final four matches. Anthony Sykora would continue his tear, sticking Northland's Mitchell Christen in 35 seconds. After Wayne Mellon won via forfeit, it was Isaiah Huus' turn at the mat. The redshirt sophomore battled with Northland's Qilee Jackson in the first period, but Huus would use his strength to pin Jackson at 4:13. 
 
To conclude the dual, freshman Liam Babitt would collect a pin in 30 seconds over Northland's Avant Jackson. Babitt earned a quick takedown and did not look back from there. In extra match action, Solomon Wales capped the Dragon pin party, sticking Ethan Stegman at 1:15. 

Sykora leads the Dragons so far with 10 wins, followed by Huus and Ferguson with eight. Huus and Babitt each have four wins by fall while Sykora leads the roster with three technical falls. 

The Dragon Lineup v. NSU

125 – Clayson Mele (5-4)
133 – Thomas Carrillo (3-3)
141 – Pedro Velazquez (1-0)
149 – Cody Wienen (1-0)
157 – Jacob Reinardy (3-4)
165 – Jacob Thomas (1-2)  
174 – Anthony Sykora (10-1) 
184 – Wyatt Powell (3-4)
197 – Isaiah Huus (8-2)
HWT – Liam Babitt (7-3)

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