MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead wrestling is back on the mat this week in a pair of duals. The Dragons host (RV) Northern State in NSIC action on Thursday at 7 p.m. before traveling for a matchup with Dickinson State on Friday at 8 p.m. 

Live video and results will be available at msumdragons.com. Moorhead last competed at the 45th annual Virginia Duals, which saw the Dragons place sixth overall as a team. MSUM earned dual victories over Marymount and 11th-ranked Kutztown at the annual tournament. 

Since When...Moorhead claimed an impressive ranked dual win over #11 Kutztown on Saturday, defeating the Golden Bears 22-18. Clayson Mele and Jacob Reinardy would pace the Dragons, totaling 12 team points behind a pair of pins. The victory is MSUM's first dual win over a ranked team since February 19, 2020 (#23 Minot State). 

Babitt Sharp Again...Heavyweight Liam Babitt earned three victories in four matches for the Dragons at the Virginia Duals. Babitt opened the tournament 2-0 after pinning Marymount's Basheer Hadi, followed by a decision over Newberry's Chance Jackson. The sophomore would secure MSUM's dual win over Kutztown as well, earning a 5-0 decision over Dustin Swanson. So far this season, Babitt leads the Dragons with 13 victories and five falls on his ledger. 

Feelin' Syko...Junior Anthony Sykora showcased his offensive ability at the Virginia Duals last weekend, picking up three wins. Against Marymount, Sykora would pin Ian Harris in 68 seconds for six team points. To conclude the first day, Sykora racked up 16 points in a 16-6 major decision over Newberry's Josh Echeverria. On Saturday, Sykora would earn another major decision victory, defeating East Stroudsburg's Brendan Ridge, 13-1. 

Benz Locks In...Redshirt junior Parker Benz also collected three wins for the Dragons at the Virginia Duals, moving his season total to five. Benz had offense on his mind all weekend, opening the tournament with a decisive 20-3 technical fall over Marymount's Adonis Iparraguirre. The Bismarck, N.D., native would follow that up with 10 more points in a 10-1 major decision over Newberry's Sebastian Melendez. Benz would help the Dragons past Kutztown as well, securing a 6-2 decision over Logan Hrenenko. 

Powell-ing Around...Senior Wyatt Powell looked sharp all weekend for the Dragons, securing three victories. Powell would add another pin to Moorhead's ledger against Marymount, sticking Mohammed Fofana at 2:01. On Saturday, Powell's 11-0 major decision over Kutztown's Alex Ward would put the Dragons up on the team scoreboard with only one match remaining. To wrap his tournament, Powell scored 23-6 technical fall over East Stroudsburg's Max Winkler. So far this season, Powell has tallied 10 wins and a team-best four technical falls. 

Kris Nelson is in his 17th season as MSUM's head wrestling coach. 

The Dragon Lineup
vs Northern State/Dickinson State

125 - Clayson Mele (7-10)
133 - Brody Toledo (4-11)
141 - #15 Pedro Velazquez (10-4)
149 - Parker Benz (5-7)
157 - Jacob Thomas (2-4) or Jacob Reinardy (2-2)
165 - Damon Ferguson (2-14)
174 - Anthony Sykora (7-4)
184 - Edon Davis (8-9)
197 - Wyatt Powell (10-13)
285 - Liam Babitt (13-4)