MOORHEAD, Minn. – Senior 141-pounder
Pedro Velazquez and sophomore swimmer
Fernanda Leon have been named the Minnesota State Moorhead Athletes of the Month presented by Buffalo Wild Wings for the month of December 2025.
Velazquez racked up a flawless 6-0 record in the month of December to help earn him national recognition. The Victoria, Minn., native finished the calendar year ranked in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) becoming the first Dragon since Cole Jones to be ranked in the national coaches' poll. Velazquez began his month with a weight class championship at the MSUM-hosted Dragon Open, winning three matches en route to the finish. The 141-pounder had two major decisions at the tournament. As the Dragons entered dual action, Velazquez continued to look sharp, going 3-0 across a trio of duals, all against nationally-raked teams. Velazquez defeated Augustana's Luke Koenen in a 4-2 decision on December 12. The senior also collected decision victories over St. Cloud State's Jayce Luna on December 18 and Parkside's Troy Dolphin on December 20. Velazquez is also ranked in The Open Mat national rankings at 141 pounds.
Leon led the Dragons in their lone meet of the month, the annual Rochester Invitational. The three-day event saw Leon turn in several strong times and finishes to cap the calendar year. On day one, Leon would place second overall in the 200-yard IM, earning a finals mark of 2:09.04. Leon would win preliminary action in the morning with a mark of 2:08.69. Friday's competition saw Leon collect an event win in the 400-yard IM, swimming a time of 4:32.21. Leon had placed third in preliminary action with a time of 4:37.26. On the final day of competition, Leon would look sharp again on Saturday, earning runner-up marks in the 200-yard fly championship final. Leon marked a 2:06.56 in the finals, which was just .06 off her collegiate best set last season. The Lima, Peru, native was also critical in the Dragon relays, helping the 800-yard freestyle team to a sixth-place finish on Thursday. Leon was also a member of the MSUM 400-yard medley team that placed 10th overall on Friday.
