MOORHEAD, Minn. – Hunter Hayes picked up his third win in a row to lead MSU Moorhead wrestling in the final regular season dual of 2023-24. Minot State defeated the Dragons, 37-8. 
 
The Dragons would fall in the first two matches of the afternoon as Hunter Hayes stepped in at 141 pounds. Hayes was riding high following a decision victory against the University of Mary on Thursday evening. The senior would jump out to an early advantage against Minot State's Evan Vieira, scoring a takedown almost immediately in the first period. Hayes only needed three minutes to tech fall Vieira as he would score a pair of four-point near falls in the top position. With the 16-1 victory, Hayes collects his 10th win of the season and his third win in a row. 

Gunnar Mogen would battle in his 149-pound bout against Minot State's Ryan Hrcka. The two competitors were tied at seven points each in the third period with Hrcka holding a bonus point. With both wrestlers in the neutral position, Mogen would continually try to attack Hrcka's legs, but was unable to fully wrap up and score a takedown. The bonus point proved to be the difference as Hrcka won 8-7. 

Wayne Mellon would turn in a strong performance for the Dragons at 174 pounds in a low-scoring affair. Mellon would gather over a minute of ride time in the second period, but would surrender an escape to Brody Mohr late in the frame. Mellon would score an escape of his own in the third period to tie the score at one with the redshirt freshman holding a bonus point. Late in the final period, Mellon would dodge a late Mohr attack and would not surrender a takedown. With the riding time point, Mellon earned a 2-1 decision win. 
 
Dragons 8, Beavers 37
Dual began at 125 pounds
 
125 – Logen Fischer major decision over Hunter Heim (15-6)
133 – Wayne Joint major decision over Thomas Carrillo (15-2)
141 – Hunter Hayes technical fall over Evan Vieira (16-1, 3:00)
149 – Ryan Hrcka decision over Gunnar Mogen (8-7)
157 – Kelby Armstrong technical fall over Cody Wienen (15-0, 7:00)
165 – Brendan Barnes pinned Jacob Reinardy (5:48)
174 – Wayne Mellon decision over Brody Mohr (2-1)
184 – Cayden White pinned Anthony Sykora (1:36)
197 – Cannon Potts technical fall over Caleb Vacura (19-1, 5:57)
HWT - Jake Swirple major decision over Airin Spell (10-2)
 
Up Next
 
MSUM will now prepare for the NCAA Super Region V tournament which will take place Saturday, March 2 in Minot, N.D.