MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota State Moorhead wrestling saw strong performances from its veteran core in a hotly-contested dual with Minot State on Saturday. The Dragons defeated the Beavers 27-17 in the final home dual of the 2025-26 season. 
 
The teams would trade pins to begin the match with Clayson Mele starting the dual strong for Moorhead. The senior would stick Austin Garcia 46 seconds into the second period in his final home dual as a Dragon. Fellow senior Pedro Velazquez would use his brand of offense to secure a 5-1 decision over Ethan Wonser at 141 pounds. Parker Benz's takedown prowess would be on full display in the next match with the Bismarck, N.D., native scoring a 19-2 technical fall over Robert Salehi. 

Moorhead's surge would only continue into the 157-pound bout. For the second straight day, senior Jacob Thomas would turn in a technically proficient performance in his match with Roman Leifridt. Thomas would work Leifridt into near fall scenario thanks to an impressive assassin maneuver with the Fargo, N.D., native sticking his opponent at 6:38. Thanks to Thomas, Moorhead now led 20-6 on the team scoreboard.

Credit to Minot State, who would work back into the dual with wins over the next three matches. Leading 20-17, MSUM looked to Wyatt Powell to secure a necessary victory at 197 pounds. Powell would score an early takedown on Shafer Ehmke and would later earn a nice reversal to add two more points. While the match came down to the final period, Powell would hang on for a 15-8 decision. Sophomore Liam Babitt would ice the dual for Moorhead, securing three takedowns in an 11-3 major decision over Braxton Rance. 
 
Dragons 27, Beavers 17
Dual began at 125 pounds
 
125 – Clayson Mele pinned Austin Garcia (3:46)
133 – Cole Faircloth pinned Brody Toledo (2:40)
141 – Pedro Velazquez decision over Ethan Wonser (5-1)
149 – Parker Benz technical fall over Robert Salehi (19-2, 5:21)
157 – Jacob Thomas pinned Roman Leifridt (6:38)
165 – John Armstrong decision over Jacob Reinardy (6-5)
174 – Gavin Turk technical fall over Damon Ferguson (17-2, 7:00)
184 – Payton Wayman decision over Edon Davis (12-7)
197 – Wyatt Powell decision over Shafer Ehmke (15-8)
HWT – Liam Babitt major decision over Braxton Rance (11-3)
 
Up Next
 
MSUM is set to conclude the dual season on February 20 in a 7 p.m. dual at Jamestown