COMPLETE NOTES (PDF)

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (1-2, 0-2 NSIC) will travel south to Iowa this weekend for a pair of duals, facing off with Upper Iowa (9-1, 3-0 NSIC) on Friday at 7 p.m. and Buena Vista (1-7-1) on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Series records:  Friday will be the sixth meeting between SMSU and Upper Iowa.  The Mustangs are 0-5 against the Peacocks all-time, while head coach Jesse Nelson is 0-2 against UIU.  Saturday marks the 26th contest between SMSU and BVU.  The Mustangs are 5-20 against the Beavers all-time, while Nelson has yet to face BVU during his career.

Last time out:  SMSU has been idle for the past week thanks to mother nature.  The Mustangs were supposed to travel to the Central Missouri Duals last Sunday, but poor weather conditions prevented SMSU from making the trip.  The Mustangs would have crammed four duals into one day and were scheduled to wrestle Nebraska-Kearney, Chadron State (Neb.), Truman State (Mo.) and Newman (Kan.).

Carter ranked nationally:  Demond Carter (East St. Louis, Ill.) is ranked No. 8 at 149 pounds in the latest individual Division II national rankings released last Wednesday by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.  The junior has compiled a 10-8 record this season.

Mustangs move up:  SMSU is ranked No. 6 in the latest Super Region Three rankings released last week, moving up two spots from its previous ranking.  Upper Iowa took the No. 1 spot in the rankings.  Demond Carter is SMSU's highest ranked individual as he is No. 2 at 149 pounds.

Against ranked opponents: Friday's opponent, Upper Iowa, is ranked No. 6 in the latest Division II national poll.  Through Friday night's action, SMSU will have faced three consecutive nationally ranked opponents.  The Mustangs' last duals were against then No. 8-ranked Augustana No. 9 St. Cloud State.  Individually, the Peacocks have five wrestlers nationally ranked in their respective weight classes.

According to the coaches:  The NSIC's head coaches tabbed SMSU seventh in the 2009 Preseason Coaches' Poll.  SMSU received 12 points in the poll.  Minnesota State received 54 points and took the top spot.
    Team            Points
    1.     Minnesota State    54
    2.     Augustana    48
    3.     Upper Iowa    45
            St. Cloud State    5
    5.     Minnesota State Moorhead    18
    6.     Northern State    16
    7.     Southwest Minnesota State    12
    8.     Mary    2

The coach:  Jesse Nelson enters his third year as head coach of the SMSU wrestling program.  Nelson owns a 4-20 record at SMSU and has charted improved campaigns in each of his seasons with the Mustangs.  He is assisted by Jake Avre.

Mustang wrestling online:  All of SMSU's home wrestling contests this season will be broadcast at www.pennatlantic.com.  The Webcasts are free of charge, but users must set up an account with Penn Atlantic to view the matches.

Stay connected:  Stay connected with SMSU wrestling all season long at www.smsumustangs.com.  The Mustangs are also on Facebook and Twitter; just log onto www.facebook.com/smsumustangs and www.twitter.com/smsumustangs.  For the latest video highlights and new episodes of the Mustang Minute check out SMSU's official YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/smsuathletics.

This weekend's opponents:
Upper Iowa...9-1, 3-0 NSIC...ranked No. 6 in latest national poll...five individuals ranked in latest national poll...winners of last six duals...only loss of season was against Gannon (Pa.).

Buena Vista...located in Storm Lake, Iowa...member of Division III and the Iowa Intercollegaite Athletic Conference...on two match losing streak.