MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead wrestling will be represented by senior 141-pounder Pedro Velazquez at this weekend's NCAA Wrestling Championships. Competition is slated to begin on Friday at 10 a.m. before wrapping up Saturday evening. 

Live video and results will be available at msumdragons.com. Velazquez is fresh off a runner-up performance at 141 pounds at the NCAA Super Region V Tournament. 

How He Did It...Velazquez punched his ticket to the national tournament with two wins to open his day at NCAA Super Region V. Velazquez opened the morning with a 16-1 technical fall over SMSU's Bronson Richins. The Victoria, Minn., native would then pick up a stirring win over eighth-ranked Luke Koenen of Augustana. Velazquez locked up a spot at nationals thanks to a 4-1 decision. It is the second straight season where Velazquez earned regional runner-up.

Velazquez At Nationals...2026 will mark the second straight season where Velazquez will compete at the NCAA Championships. Velazquez would see an injury harm his opening round match with Ashland's Brock Durbin a season ago. The opening bout for the then-junior ended in a major decision for Durbin (12-0). Velazquez would fall to Minnesota State's Cole Hush by a 6-3 decision to conclude his tournament.

This Year's Matchup...For the second consecutive season, Velazquez was seeded in the pigtail of the 141-pound bracket. The senior is slated to open his morning against Kieran Thompson of Adams State. Thompson bolsters a 20-7 overall record this season and is ranked 15th in The Open Mat rankings (Velazquez is ranked 14th in the same poll). The winner of that match will take on Glenville State's Ethan Hardy, who is ranked eighth in the latest NWCA rankings with a 27-5 overall record. 

Velazquez This Season...The Victoria, Minn., native has been stirring in his final campaign in Moorhead, bolstering a 17-6 overall record heading into nationals. Velazquez holds a team-high six wins via major decision so far this season as well as a tech fall victory. The senior has been ranked in The Open Mat's 141-pound rankings for much of the season. He was also ranked in the NWCA national rankings on December 18. 

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