SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Minnesota State Moorhead wrestling's dual against Sioux Falls came down to the final match on Saturday afternoon. A win from
Liam Babitt at heavyweight guided the Dragons to a 20-17 dual victory.
The teams would trade decisons to open the dual as
Brody Toledo got the Dragons on the board with a 9-8 decision at 133 pounds. Toledo's effort sparked a four-match win streak for the Dragons as
Pedro Velazquez,
Parker Benz and
Jacob Thomas all earned decision victories. Velazquez and Thomas would earn 4-2 decisions while Benz narrowly missed a major decision in an 11-4 victory over Lane Fink.
Leading 12-8 entering the 174-pound bout,
Anthony Sykora would create some separation for Moorhead. The junior used his offensive prowess to rack up a 16-1 technical fall in the third period against Ashtin Johnson. Sykora's victory would have MSUM up 17-8 with three matches remaining. However, Sioux Falls would answer, securing a decision, followed be a fall to even the score at 17 points with only heavyweight left to wrestle.
Liam Babitt would turn in a gritty effort to close out the dual for the Dragons in a low-scoring affair with Stetson Davis. Babitt would lead 2-1 in the third period before Davis made a critical mistake, which provided Babitt a penalty point. The sophomore would secure a 3-1 decision to clinch a 20-17 team victory for Moorhead.
Dragons 20, Cougars 17
Dual began at 125 pounds
125 - Vincent Mayberry decision over
Clayson Mele (11-4)
133 -
Brody Toledo decision over Cyler Ruhoff (9-8)
141 -
Pedro Velazquez decision over Jordan Oehme (4-2)
149 -
Parker Benz decision over Lane Fink (11-4)
157 -
Jacob Thomas decision over Cooper Sanders (4-2)
165 - Luke Swanson technical fall over
Jacob Reinardy (22-6, 6:19)
174 -
Anthony Sykora technical fall over Ashtin Johnson (16-1, 5:33)
184 - Lincoln Fink decision over
Edon Davis (8-5)
197 - True Tobiasson pinned
Wyatt Powell (0:48)
HWT -
Liam Babitt decision over Stetson Davis (3-1)
Up Next
MSUM is set to host 12th-ranked UMary on Friday, February 6 at 7 p.m.
